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ECOWAS court awards Nigerian journalist N10m damages for police brutality

The Court agreed with Counsel to the applicant, Collins I. Maidoh-Anene, Esq., that the Nigerian police’s detention of the journalist and seizure of his mobile phone were excessive, unjustified, and in violation of international law.

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The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has awarded N10 million in general damages against the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the physical assault, unlawful arrest, and seizure of property belonging to Mr. Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper.

The landmark judgmemt 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, supported by the European Union, which focuses on defending human rights in the digital space.

Oyekunle, current Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council and a former Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, was physically assaulted and unlawfully detained.

His camera was damaged, and his mobile phone was seized by armed police officers on the order of the former FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, at Eagle Square, Abuja, on August 1st, 2024, while he was covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

The Court agreed with Counsel to the applicant, Collins I. Maidoh-Anene, Esq., that the Nigerian police’s detention of the journalist and seizure of his mobile phone were excessive, unjustified, and in violation of international law.

The ECOWAS Court subsequently found the Federal Republic of Nigeria liable for violating the applicant’s rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, dignity, and property under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

The Court therefore ordered the Nigerian government to pay Mr. Oyekunle the sum of N10 million in general damages.

In a statement signed by the Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, on Tuesday, she said the judgment sends a clear message that a journalist’s digital tools are extensions of the modern press and newsroom, and that their arbitrary confiscation by security forces constitutes a direct assault on the public’s right to know.

According to Angela, “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.”

ASF France will continue to monitor compliance with the judgment and provide legal aid to journalists facing similar violations.

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JUST IN: Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Motorcyclist’s Death in Lagos

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An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.

Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.

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ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

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• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)

ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).

ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.

ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).

Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.

The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.

Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.

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Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown

The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.

The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.

Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.

Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.

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