Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Premium Times
Published on 2024-02-22 12:51:53
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria National Committee has called for the implementation of a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja to restart investigations of extra-judicial killings of journalists and to prosecute the perpetrators. This call was made in a statement released by IPI Nigeria on Thursday.
The court’s judgment was in response to a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA), directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to “investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners, and ensure that all victims of attacks against journalists have access to effective remedies.”
In the statement, IPI Nigeria urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately form a team of investigators to reopen unresolved cases involving the killing of journalists, which had been neglected due to lack of commitment on the part of the government to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. IPI Nigeria emphasized the need for the police to take concrete steps towards investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the killings.
The office of the Attorney General of the Federation was also called upon to collaborate with the police on a case-by-case review of the journalists involved. The organization noted that perpetrators of attacks against journalists often go unpunished, leaving journalists vulnerable and in need of protection in accordance with the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights.
The court judgment covers the reopening of investigations into the assassination of Dele Giwa, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch Magazine, who was killed by a parcel bomb at his residence in 1986. Additionally, the judgment addressed other journalists who were murdered, including Bolade Fasisi of the National Association of Women Journalists, Edward Olalekan of Daily Times, Omololu Falobi of The Punch, Godwin Agbroko of Thisday, Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday, and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation.
The President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, and the organization’s Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, stressed the importance of thoroughly investigating and punishing all past cases of journalists’ murder, brutalization, and harassment. They urged the government to take necessary steps to address these unresolved cases and deliver justice to the victims and their families.
IPI Nigeria’s statement also highlighted the fact that the killing of journalists in Nigeria poses a significant threat to press freedom and the right to freedom of expression, which are essential components of a democratic society. The organization emphasized the importance of upholding these fundamental rights and ensuring the safety and protection of journalists in Nigeria.
In an effort to sustain good journalism and ensure the possibility of a good society and an accountable democracy, IPI Nigeria called on the public to support their noble endeavors and help sustain free access to high-quality investigative journalism. This support would aid the organization in its mission to promote freedom of the press and journalistic integrity.
IPI Nigeria’s call for the enforcement of the court’s judgment reflects the organization’s commitment to upholding press freedom and ensuring justice for journalists who have been victims of violence. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing cases of journalists’ killings and holding perpetrators accountable to protect the safety and integrity of journalists in Nigeria.
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