FG seeks extension to appeal ruling on Dele Giwa murder probe

The Federal Government has approached the Abuja division of the court of appeal, seeking permission to file an appeal out of time against a judgement directing the reopening of investigations into the killing of journalist, Dele Giwa.

The request followed the expiration of the statutory 90-day window allowed for filing appeals at the court of appeal.

In February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the government to resume investigation and prosecution relating to the assassination of Giwa, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch Magazine.

Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 19, 1986.

The court action also referenced several other journalists whose deaths remain unresolved.

They include Bolade Fasisi of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, killed on March 31, 1998; Edward Olalekan of Daily Times, murdered on June 1, 1999; Omololu Falobi of The Punch, killed on October 5, 2006; Godwin Agbroko of ThisDay, murdered on December 22, 1999; Abayomi Ogundeji of ThisDay, killed on August 17, 2008; and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation, who died on April 24, 2010.

The original suit was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the Media Rights Agenda, MRA.

In a motion on notice dated December 23, 2025, and filed by A.B. Mohammed, counsel to the attorney-general of the federation, the government asked the court of appeal to extend the time within which it could challenge the judgement delivered on February 16, 2024.

“That the judgment of the Federal High Court was delivered by Honourable Justice I. E Ekwo on the 16th of February 2024,” the federal government said.

“The appellant/applicant is desirous to appeal the said judgment of the Court. That the appellant/applicant needs the time to appeal the judgment of the court.

“The Appellant/Applicant has drafted proposed Notice and Grounds of Appeal.”

The supporting affidavit was sworn to by Kelechi Ohaeri, a litigation officer in the civil appeals department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, who stated that the appeal was being pursued in the interest of justice.