The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay N10 million in damages to journalist Jide Oyekunle over his assault, unlawful arrest, detention and seizure of property while covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Abuja.
The regional court ruled that the actions of Nigerian security personnel violated Oyekunle’s fundamental rights, including his rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, human dignity and property.
The judgment, delivered on June 22, 2026, followed a suit filed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the treatment meted out to the journalist during the nationwide protests that took place in August 2024.
The case, Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25, was pursued by Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), also known as Lawyers Without Borders France, under its eRIGHTS project, which is supported by the European Union and focuses on protecting human rights in the digital space.
Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper and Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, was assaulted and detained on August 1, 2024, while reporting on the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrations at Eagle Square in Abuja.
The protest movement emerged in response to growing public concerns over economic hardship, inflation, rising food prices and the cost-of-living crisis affecting many Nigerians.
As journalists and media organisations covered the demonstrations across different parts of the country, concerns were raised by local and international rights groups over alleged violations of press freedom and the treatment of protesters by security agencies.
According to court documents, Oyekunle was carrying out his professional duties when armed police officers allegedly assaulted him, seized his mobile phone and damaged his camera equipment.
The journalist was also detained during the incident.
The actions were reportedly carried out on the orders of the then Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Benneth Igweh.
Following the incident, Oyekunle sought legal redress, arguing that the actions of the police violated rights guaranteed under regional and international human rights laws.
In its judgment, the ECOWAS Court agreed with arguments presented by Oyekunle’s counsel, Collins I. Maidoh-Anene, that the actions of the police were unlawful and excessive.
The court held that the detention of the journalist and the seizure of his mobile phone could not be justified under international human rights standards.
According to the court, the actions interfered with Oyekunle’s ability to carry out his work as a journalist and prevented him from providing live coverage of the protest.
The judges ruled that this amounted to a violation of his right to freedom of expression as protected under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court also found that the assault and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and human dignity guaranteed under Articles 5 and 6 of the Charter.
In addition, it ruled that the seizure of his phone constituted a violation of his right to property under Article 14.
The court further stated that the Nigerian government failed to provide sufficient legal justification for the actions taken against the journalist.
According to the ruling, the conduct of the security personnel did not meet the test of necessity required under international law and therefore amounted to excessive and unlawful interference with the journalist’s rights.
As a result, the court awarded Oyekunle N10 million in general damages and held the Federal Republic of Nigeria responsible for the violations.
Reacting to the judgment, ASF France described it as a major victory for press freedom and the protection of journalists across West Africa.
In a statement signed by its Country Director, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the organisation said the ruling sends a strong message about the importance of protecting journalists in an increasingly digital media environment.
According to her, modern journalists depend heavily on mobile phones, cameras and other digital tools to gather and share information.
She said the arbitrary seizure of such tools by security agencies should be regarded as an attack on both the media and the public’s right to information.
“The court’s pronouncement adds to the growing jurisprudence from the regional court protecting journalists and human rights defenders who document protests and public interest events,” she said.
She added that ASF France would continue to monitor Nigeria’s compliance with the judgment while providing legal assistance to journalists facing similar challenges.
According to the organisation, the ruling strengthens legal protections for journalists and human rights defenders who use digital tools to document events of public interest.
It also warned that security agencies could be held accountable for actions that amount to intimidation, censorship or unlawful interference with media activities.
Oyekunle also welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory not only for himself but for journalists and citizens who believe in democracy, accountability and freedom of expression.
He said the decision reaffirmed the right of journalists to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without fear of harassment, intimidation or attack.
“The decision of the ECOWAS Court is not only about me; it is about every journalist, media worker and Nigerian citizen who believes in the right to freedom of expression, access to information and peaceful civic participation,” he said.
According to him, democracy cannot thrive where journalists are punished for documenting public events or where citizens are prevented from exercising their lawful rights.
He said the judgment sends a clear signal that security agencies and government institutions must be held accountable whenever they violate fundamental human rights.
“Because if democracy is all about good governance, accountability and transparency, then press freedom should not be curtailed, denied or restricted,” he added.
The journalist expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, ASF France, colleagues, human rights advocates and members of the public who supported him throughout the legal process.
The ruling adds to a growing number of judgments by the ECOWAS Court on issues relating to human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom within member states.
As attention turns to the implementation of the ruling, rights groups are expected to closely monitor Nigeria’s compliance with the court’s order and its broader commitment to safeguarding press freedom and fundamental human rights.