A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed judgment for September 25, 2026, in a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to implement effective measures for the protection of journalists, as required under Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
The matter, which is before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, came up for substantive hearing on July 8, 2026. MRA was represented by its counsel, Mr. Monday Arunsi, while the Attorney-General of the Federation was, again, absent and unrepresented.
At the commencement of proceedings, Mr. Arunsi informed the Court that MRA had complied with the Court’s directive made at the previous sitting by serving the hearing notice on the Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja. He further informed the Court that proof of service had been duly filed and formed part of the Court’s record.
Following the Court’s confirmation that the hearing notice had been properly served in accordance with its earlier order, Mr. Arunsi notified the Court of MRA’s readiness to proceed with the substantive hearing of the suit. The Court accordingly granted leave for the hearing to proceed.
Thereafter, Mr. Arunsi formally moved the Amended Originating Summons and adopted all the processes filed in support thereof, including the supporting affidavits, documentary exhibits, and the written address dated August 10, 2021, as his arguments in support of the reliefs sought by MRA.
He also drew the Court’s attention to the Counter-Affidavit filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, dated March 8, 2022, and urged the Court to deem the arguments contained therein as having been properly canvassed notwithstanding the Respondent’s absence from Court.
In response to the issues raised in the Counter-Affidavit, Mr. Arunsi adopted MRA’s Reply on Points of Law dated March 28, 2022, as his argument in answer to the Respondent’s processes. He urged the Court to resolve all issues in favour of MRA and grant all the declaratory and consequential reliefs sought in the suit.
After listening to the submissions of counsel for MRA and reviewing the processes before it, the Court reserved judgment and adjourned the matter to September 25, 2026, for delivery of judgment.
Recall that at the previous hearing on April 29, 2026, MRA was represented by Mr. Arunsi, while the AGF was absent and unrepresented. Although MRA had informed the Court that the hearing notice had been served, the Court sought clarification regarding the place of service. After counsel explained that service had been effected in Lagos and pointed out that the Attorney-General maintained an operational office of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos, as reflected in its Counter-Affidavit, the Court nevertheless directed that, for purposes of procedural regularity, the hearing notice should also be served on the Attorney-General at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja. The matter was consequently adjourned to July 8, 2026, for hearing.
Earlier, when the case came up on February 26, 2026, for mention, MRA was represented by Mr. Arunsi, while the AGF was absent and unrepresented. On that occasion, the Court ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on the AGF before adjourning the matter to April 29, 2026.
The suit was originally instituted on July 27, 2021, through MRA’s counsel, Ms. Obioma Okonkwo, seeking the enforcement of the Federal Government’s obligations under Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which requires State Parties to ensure the safety and protection of journalists, promptly investigate attacks against them, prosecute perpetrators, and create an enabling environment for the free exercise of journalism.
MRA contends that the Nigerian Government has consistently failed to establish adequate legal, institutional, and operational safeguards for journalists, thereby exposing media practitioners to persistent harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, physical assaults, and other forms of violence, often without effective investigation or accountability. According to the organisation, these failures constitute a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly the guarantees relating to freedom of expression and access to information.
The matter has witnessed several adjournments since it was first scheduled for hearing on October 19, 2022, due to factors, including the absence of counsel for the AGF, court vacations, public holidays, and occasions when the Court did not sit. The case has also undergone multiple judicial reassignments, having moved from Justice Peter Odo Lifu to Justice Nnamdi O. Dimgba, and subsequently to Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu following the elevation of Justice Dimgba to the Court of Appeal.
The Court has reserved judgment until September 25, 2026.
