JUDICIARY
Court Orders FG to Investigate, Prosecute killers of Dele Giwa, Others
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dele.jpeg)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Federal Government (FG) to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of the murder of founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, and other journalists in the country.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, also made an order directing the FG to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners, henceforth.
Reports says that the applicant; the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, had sued the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) as sole respondent in the suit dated and filed Oct.
26, 2021.In the motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1301/2021, the applicant sought a declaration that the killings of various journalists and media practitioners in Nigeria is a violation of their fundamental right to life.
This right, according to the group, is encapsulated in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other reliefs.
In the affidavit, the group listed some of the journalists murdered in the course of their duty to include Dele Giwa, killed on Oct 19, 1986; and Bolade Fasisi of National Association of Women Journalists, March 31, 1998;
Others include Edward Olalekan of Daily Times, murdered on June 1, 1999; Omololu Falobi of The Punch, Oct. 5, 2006; Godwin Agbroko of Thisday, Dec. 22, 1999; Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday, Aug 17, 2008; and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation, April 24, 2010.
Justice Ekwo, who observed that the AGF did not file any process to counter the arguments of the applicant, held that since the group’s arguments were not controverted, such arguments would be deemed to be true.
“I have studied the response of the respondent to the averments of the applicant and I find the said averments to be generic nature and they do not controvert the case of the applicant specifically.
“The applicant has stated names of journalists killed in Paragraph J of the affidavit in support
“It is pertinent to note that the respondent has neither denied that these killings have taken placed or that these persons were not journalists or media practitioners.
“The position of the law is that affidavit evidence which is not challenged or controverted howsoever, is deemed admitted and can be relied upon by a court,” he said.
He said media is a constitutional profession, hence,the journalists and media practitioners ought to be protected in the course of the duties.
The judge said he found in the end that the applicant had established its case by credible evidence and ought to be entitled to the reliefs sought.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners.
“An Order is hereby made 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.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government to take measures to raise awareness and build the capacities of various stakeholders, particularly journalists and other media practitioners, policy makers, law enforcement, security, intelligence, military as well as other officials and relevant stakeholders on the laws and standards for ensuring the safety of journalists and media practitioners.
“This is the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
3 Docked Over Alleged Theft of Transformer Valued N50m
![Court Sentences Applicant to 6 Months in Prison for Stealing Cell Phone](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/criminal-handcuffed-hand.jpg)
Three men, were on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing an electricity transformer valued N50 million.
The defendants, Kehinde Akinkugbe, Tope Salisu, and Isiaka Amusa, whose addresses were not given, are being charged with conspiracy, stealing and malicious damage.
The defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that Akinkugbe, Salisu and Amusa, committed the offences at about 2.
30a.m on Aug. 22, at Ajeri Street, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos.Isaac said that the defendants maliciously damaged an electricity transformer, belonging to the Federal Government.
The prosecutor said that the defendants were apprehended by residents of the area, who later reported the matter to the police.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 411, 287 and 339 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.B. Olagbegi-Adelabu, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbegi-Adelabu, ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property, and should present evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 10 for mention.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Tinubu Swears in Kekere-Ekun as Acting CJN
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/kekere.jpeg)
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice KudiratKekere-Ekun as the 23rd and second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Senate.She takes over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Aug. 22 at the age of 70.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Labourer Jailed 18 Months for Attempting to Steal from a Church
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/court-hammer-e1533055911300-1-746x430-1.jpg)
A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Friday, sentenced a 28-year old labourer , Naanswan Daboer to 18 months imprisonment for attempting to steal from a church premises.The Magistrate, Mr Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced Daboer after he pleaded guilty to the crime.The magistrate , however, gave the convict a fine of N100,000.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel,Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported on July 9, at the “C” Division Police Station by Yohanna Nanjul and Musa John, the complaints. The prosecutor said that the convict trespassed in to the church premises and switched off their security lights but was caught.The offence, according to him, is punishable under the Plateau Penal Code Law. (NAN)