Assaulted Journalist wins N10m damages at ECOWAS court

By Vivian Okejeme

The ECOWAS Court of Justice, has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay N10 million in damages to an assaulted Abuja-based journalist, Jide Oyekunle.
The judgement in suit no. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25, was secured by Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France) on June 22, 2026, under its eRIGHTS project and supported by the European Union, which defends human rights in the digital space.
Oyekunle, a journalist with Daily Independent Newspapers and Secretary of the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was on August 1, 2024 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, was assaulted, detained and deprived of his work tools by armed police officers.
Delivering the judgment, the regional court said that according to records of the court, the officer acted on the orders of the then Commission of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benneth Igweh.
It held that during the incident, Oyekunle’s camera was damaged while his mobile phone was seized, effectively disrupted his ability to report events unfolding at the protest ground.
Moreover, the ECOWAS court, agreed with counsel to applicant, Collins I.Maidih-Anene, that the journalist’s detention and the seizure of his mobile phone were excessive, unjustified, and inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.
The court held that the actions of security operatives directly interfered with Oyekunle’s work as a journalist and amounted to an unlawful restriction of press freedom.
It maintained that the suppression of his live coverage constituted a violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 9 of the African Charter.
Furthermore, the court held that the assault and detention infringed upon his right to personal liberty, dignity and protection from degrading treatment under Article 5 and 6 of the Charter.
It also ruled that temporarily confiscation of his mobile phone violated his right to property under Article 14.
A statement issued by the Country Director of ASF, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, said at the heart of the case is press freedom.
She said the judgement reinforces the principle that digital devices used by journalists are essential tools of the professionals deserve legal protection.
“The Court’s pronouncement adds to the growing jurisprudence from the regional court protecting journalists and human rights defenders who document and public interaction events.
“ASF France will continue to monitor compliance with the judgement and provide legal aid to journalists facing similar violations.
“For Avocats Sans Frontieres France and the eRIGHTS project partners, this ruling strengthens legal protections for journalism in the digital age. It shields Reporters from tech-based censorship and intimidation, put security agencies on notice that targeting media practitioners during protests will attract accountability and reaffirms the ECOWAS Court as a vital shield for civic space in the region,” she said.
The judges is expected to resonate beyond the immediate parties, particularly at a time when concerns continue to be raised about the treatment of journalists covering protests, elections and other matters of public interest across the region.