By Queen Kunde
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Nigerian government to pay N10 million in damages to journalist Jide Oyekunle for his unlawful arrest, assault, and seizure of his phone while covering a protest in Abuja.
The landmark judgment followed a suit filed on Oyekunle’s behalf by Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France) under its eRIGHTS project, which promotes and protects digital rights.
Oyekunle, a reporter with Independent Newspaper and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents’ Chapel, was attacked by armed police officers at Eagle Square on August 1, 2024, while reporting on the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
According to court findings, the officers assaulted him, detained him, damaged his camera, and seized his mobile phone on the orders of the then FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25, the regional court ruled that the actions of the Nigerian police violated Oyekunle’s fundamental rights, including his freedom of expression, personal liberty, human dignity, and right to property.
The court held that stopping the journalist from livestreaming the protest amounted to a violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information. It also described his detention and the seizure of his phone as excessive, unjustified, and contrary to international law.
As a result, the court awarded him N10 million in general damages and held the Federal Republic of Nigeria responsible for the rights violations.
Reacting to the judgment, Oyekunle described it as a victory not just for himself but for journalists and citizens who believe in freedom of expression and democratic accountability.
“This judgment sends a clear message that security agencies must be held accountable when they violate fundamental rights,” he said.
Avocats Sans Frontières France also welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforces legal protections for journalists in the digital age and warns security agencies against targeting media professionals covering public-interest events.
The organisation said it would continue to monitor compliance with the judgment and support journalists facing similar violations.
Observers say the ruling strengthens press freedom protections across West Africa and reaffirms the ECOWAS Court as a key defender of civic rights in the region.
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