FG moves to appeal judgment reopening Dele Giwa murder probe

The federal government has asked the court of appeal in Abuja for an extension of time to appeal a judgement ordering the reopening of the investigation into the murder of Dele Giwa, a journalist.

The motion for time extension was filed because the 90 days prescribed by law for lodging appeals at the court of appeal had elapsed.

In February 2024, the federal high court in Abuja ordered the federal government to reopen investigation and prosecution over the murder of Dele Giwa, a journalist.

Giwa, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch Magazine, was killed by a parcel bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos, residence on October 19, 1986.

Apart from Giwa, others listed in the affidavit 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, October 5, 2006; Godwin Agbroko of Thisday, December 22, 1999; Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday, August 17, 2008; and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation, April 24, 2010.

The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA).

In a motion on notice filed on December 23, 2025, by A.B. Mohammed, the counsel to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), the federal government sought an order of the court of appeal to extend time for it to appeal the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja 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 affidavit in support of the motion was deposed by Kelechi Ohaeri, a litigation officer in the department of civil appeals at the federal ministry of justice.

In the affidavit, Ohaeri said the appeal is necessary in the interest of justice.