The Federal Government of Nigeria has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking an extension of time to challenge a judgement ordering the reopening of investigations into the murder of journalist Dele Giwa.
The application followed the expiration of the 90-day period stipulated by law for filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In February 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government to reopen investigations and initiate prosecution over the killing of Giwa, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine. Giwa was assassinated by a parcel bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos residence on October 19, 1986.
The order was issued in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which also sought justice for several other journalists killed in the line of duty.
In a motion on notice dated December 23, 2025, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), A.B. Mohammed, urged the Court of Appeal to grant leave to appeal the Federal High Court’s judgement delivered on February 16, 2024, by Justice Inyang Ekwo, according to a report by The Cable.
According to the motion, the Federal Government expressed its intention to appeal the judgement but acknowledged that the statutory period for filing the appeal had elapsed, necessitating a request for additional time.
“The appellant/applicant is desirous of appealing the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on February 16, 2024, but requires an extension of time to do so,” the motion stated, adding that a proposed notice and grounds of appeal had already been prepared.
An affidavit in support of the application was sworn to by Kelechi Ohaeri, a litigation officer in the Civil Appeals Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice. Ohaeri said the appeal was being pursued in the interest of justice.
