Media Rights Agenda responds to February 25, 2024 ThisDay newspaper article titled “A Vacuous Judgment on Dele Giwa”, says “we are excited about the judgment and committed to ensuring that it is complied with by the relevant authorities” bit.ly/49KYtpd

The February 16 judgment by Justice Ekwo was not about Dele Giwa alone. There were 7 named journalists who have been killed in the last few decades and whose killings remain unresolved that were referenced in the suit and in the judgment of the court, said Media Rights Agenda

The judgment of the court applies to all journalists and other media practitioners killed over the years as well as journalists and other media practitioners who have been victims of other forms of attacks - Media Rights Agenda

Even if one anticipates some difficulty in conducting a conclusive or successful investigation into one or more of these killings, that would not render the judgment vacuous, argued Media Rights Agenda

The judgment of the court offers the possibility of a successful investigation into many other cases of journalists killed that have remained uninvestigated, including some very recent killings - Media Rights Agenda

There is absolutely nothing vacuous about a judgment of a court that reaffirms the principle, established under regional and international instruments, that there should be no impunity for crimes against journalists and other media practitioners, says Media Rights Agenda

There is nothing vacuous about a judgment that validates the responsibility which States bear to properly investigate crimes against journalists and other media practitioners and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished in accordance with the Law - Media Rights Agenda

There is nothing vacuous about a judgment which seeks to compel the Government of Nigeria to perform its statutory and constitutional duty, which also constitutes an international treaty obligation, says Media Rights Agenda

The judgment of the court enures to the benefit of all journalists and other media practitioners who have been victims of attacks in the past as well as for those who may similarly be attacked in the future - Media Rights Agenda