The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on relevant authorities to reopen investigations into the assassination of renowned journalist and Newswatch co-founder, Dele Giwa, insisting that the passage of 40 years must not extinguish the quest for justice.
Giwa was killed on October 19, 1986, by a parcel bomb delivered to his home. Four decades after the murder, no one has been brought to justice for the killing, which remains one of the most notorious attacks on press freedom in Nigeria.
The Guild made the call on Monday in a statement jointly signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, to mark the 40th anniversary of Giwa’s death and the unveiling of a book, Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism.
Describing the unresolved assassination as a painful test of Nigeria’s commitment to press freedom, accountability and the rule of law, the NGE urged the authorities to examine available evidence, preserve relevant records and pursue all lawful avenues to establish the truth.
“Forty years is a long time to wait for justice. It is an unconscionably long time for a nation that claims to uphold the rule of law,” the Guild said.
It, however, cautioned against trial by media, stressing that its demand was for a credible and impartial investigation rather than the condemnation of individuals without evidence.
“We are not calling for trial by media. We are not asking anyone to be condemned without evidence. We are demanding that a grave crime against a Nigerian citizen, a distinguished journalist and the freedom of the press should not remain an enduring symbol of impunity,” it said.
The NGE said Giwa’s assassination was not merely the killing of an individual but an attack on the freedom to question authority, expose wrongdoing and hold those in power accountable.
It described the late journalist as a professional of uncommon courage, intellectual rigour and literary elegance, whose work demonstrated that Nigerian journalism could be fearless in scrutinising power while maintaining high standards of accuracy and professional excellence.
According to the Guild, Giwa understood that journalism was neither a public relations arm of government nor an instrument for flattering the powerful, but a public trust.
It expressed concern that the failure to resolve his murder could send a dangerous message to journalists investigating corruption, probing abuses of power or exposing the activities of influential interests.
The Guild questioned whether the passage of time, the death of witnesses and changes in government could absolve the state of its responsibility to pursue justice. “Our answer must be an emphatic no,” it said, adding that successive administrations must recognise that the obligation to investigate serious crimes does not expire with political transitions.
The NGE also called for stronger protection for journalists, urging public authorities to tolerate scrutiny and security agencies to protect media practitioners from threats and attacks.
It said press freedom could not be guaranteed by constitutional provisions alone, but required responsible journalism, independent media institutions and effective enforcement of laws protecting journalists and citizens.
The Guild further urged editors to protect newsroom integrity, publishers to resist intimidation and journalists to maintain professional discipline amid growing disinformation, political propaganda, economic pressures and the weaponisation of social media.
It warned that courage without accuracy could degenerate into recklessness, just as independence without ethics could become irresponsibility. “The journalism worth defending is both fearless and scrupulous, both independent and accountable,” it said.
The NGE also cautioned against reducing Giwa’s memory to annual commemorations without concrete efforts to address the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Remembrance without action risks becoming an elaborate way of accommodating injustice,” the Guild said.
It called for Giwa’s professional ideals to be taught in journalism schools, discussed in newsrooms and preserved in Nigeria’s historical records to inspire younger journalists and deepen public appreciation of press freedom.
The Guild commended NEWSWATCH Plus Limited and its head, Ray Ekpu, the only surviving member of the original Newswatch quartet, for preserving Giwa’s legacy through the publication of Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism.
The book documents Giwa’s writings for the Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch magazine, alongside tributes from prominent journalists, including his friends and contemporaries.
The NGE said the publication would ensure that Giwa’s contributions to Nigerian journalism continued to inspire future generations.
It stressed that the defence of press freedom was a public responsibility, arguing that attacks on journalists also threatened citizens’ right to reliable information.
“A parcel bomb may have ended Dele Giwa’s life, but it could not extinguish the ideals he represented,” the Guild said.
“Dele Giwa is gone, but the questions his murder left behind remain alive. The man was silenced; the search for justice must not be.”
The Guild urged Nigerians to remember the anniversary not merely as an occasion to honour a fallen journalist, but as a renewed call for truth, justice, accountability and the protection of press freedom.
It said Giwa’s legacy should serve both as a monument to professional courage and a reminder that crimes against journalists must not become permanent symbols of impunity.