A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed July 8, 2026, for the hearing of a suit filed by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) over the failure of the Federal Government to implement concrete 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, an important regional human rights instruments adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2019
The matter, which is before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, was earlier fixed for hearing on April 29, 2026. However, when the case came up on that date, MRA, represented by its counsel, Mr Monday Arunsi, was in Court while the AGF was neither present in Court nor represented by counsel.
Mr Arunsi informed the Court that the hearing notice had been duly served on the AGF, and that an affidavit of service had been filed. He further indicated his readiness to proceed with the substantive hearing of the suit.
The Court, however, sought clarification on where the hearing notice was served, to which Mr Arunsi responded that service was effected in Lagos. The Court further inquired about the location of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, to which Mr Arunsi clarified that, while the AGF is based in Abuja, there is a fully operational office of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos. He also drew the Court’s attention to the AGF’s Counter-Affidavit filed on 8 March 2022, which indicated a Lagos address for service.
Notwithstanding these submissions, the Court held that, for purposes of proper record and procedural regularity, the hearing notice ought to be served on the AGF at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.
Consequently, the Court directed that the hearing notice be served on the AGF at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, and adjourned the matter to July 8, 2026, for hearing.
Previously, when the matter 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, following which the matter was adjourned to April 29, 2026, for hearing.
The suit, originally instituted on July 27, 2021, through MRA’s counsel, Ms Obioma Okonkwo, seeks the enforcement of obligations under Principle 20 of the African Declaration, which requires State Parties to ensure the safety of journalists, investigate attacks against them, and create an enabling environment for media practice.
MRA contends that the Nigerian government has failed to implement adequate legal, institutional, and operational safeguards for journalists, resulting in persistent incidents of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and violent attacks, often without effective investigation or accountability. The organisation argues that this failure amounts to a breach of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly with respect to freedom of expression and access to information.
However, the case has experienced repeated adjournments since it was first slated for hearing on October 19, 2022, arising variously from absence of counsel for the AGF, court vacations, public holidays, and instances where the Court did not sit. It has also undergone multiple judicial reassignments, moving 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.
At a prior sitting on May 29, 2025, proceedings were stalled due to non-service of amended processes on the AGF, prompting the Court to direct fresh service before the matter could proceed.
The case is now fixed for hearing on July 8, 2026, when the substantive issues concerning the Federal Government’s obligations to ensure the safety and protection of journalists in Nigeria are expected to be heard.
