The Federal Government has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking an extension of time to appeal a judgment that ordered the reopening of investigations into the murder of renowned journalist, Dele Giwa.
Court documents show that the request for time extension became necessary after the 90-day statutory period allowed for filing an appeal had elapsed.
In February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Federal Government to reopen investigation and prosecution relating to the unresolved killing of Giwa, a landmark case that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades.
Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, was assassinated on October 19, 1986, after a parcel bomb exploded at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos. His death is widely regarded as one of the darkest moments in the history of Nigerian journalism.
The move by the Federal Government to challenge the ruling has renewed public attention on the long-standing case, which continues to attract calls from civil society groups, journalists, and human rights advocates for justice and accountability