RismadarVoice Reporters
October 19, 2026
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to reopen investigations into the assassination of renowned journalist and founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The organisation made the demand on Monday, October 19, 2026, marking exactly 40 years since Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb delivered to his residence in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 19, 1986.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA described the continued failure to resolve the assassination as a disturbing example of impunity surrounding attacks against journalists in Nigeria.
Its Deputy Executive Director, Ayode Longe, said four decades was an unacceptable period for such a serious crime to remain unresolved, urging authorities to demonstrate measurable progress rather than limit the anniversary to tributes.
Longe recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, delivered a judgment on February 16, 2024, directing the Federal Government to investigate attacks against journalists, prosecute perpetrators and strengthen measures for their protection.
The judgment followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by MRA against the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to Longe, the government has yet to demonstrate sufficient progress towards implementing the judgment or establishing accountability for Giwa’s killing.
He urged the Attorney-General, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies to disclose the status of investigations and explain steps taken to comply with the court’s directives.
The organisation also called for a fresh examination of historical evidence, witness accounts and available investigative records, including the use of modern forensic techniques where feasible.
MRA warned that unresolved attacks against journalists could encourage further violence by creating the impression that perpetrators would escape accountability.
Giwa, whose investigative journalism helped shape public debate during Nigeria’s military era, was among the founding figures of Newswatch magazine.
His assassination remains one of the country’s most prominent unresolved attacks on a media professional.
Longe maintained that the most meaningful tribute to Giwa would be concrete progress towards justice, stronger safeguards for journalists and an enduring national commitment to protecting press freedom.
He stressed that the passage of time must not diminish the government’s responsibility to investigate unlawful killings and uphold the rule of law.
