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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.
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.
News
FG Unveils Digital Platforms for Transparency
The Federal Government has launched three digital platforms, the Reform Tracker, Knowledge Repository, and National Strategy for Public Service Reforms (NSPSR) Dashboard to strengthen transparency, accountability, performance monitoring, and knowledge management across the Federal Public Service.
The platforms were developed by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to support the effective implementation of government reforms.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Professor Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, described the platforms as an integrated digital ecosystem that will transform how reforms are monitored, documented, and communicated across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
According to the SGF, the Reform Tracker will provide a reliable mechanism for monitoring reform milestones, implementation timelines, and performance indicators across government institutions, helping to ensure accountability and timely delivery of reform programmes.
He explained that the Knowledge Repository will serve as a central digital library for reform-related documents, policies, reports, and case studies, preserving institutional memory, reducing duplication of efforts, and promoting evidence-based decision-making throughout the public service.
Senator Akume added that the NSPSR Dashboard will provide real-time updates on the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms, enabling policymakers to track progress, identify gaps, measure achievements, and make informed decisions.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a technology-driven and results-oriented public service.
Meanwhile, Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, described the launch as a major milestone in institutionalising reforms through innovation and technology.
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Nigeria Determined Never to Return to War – Akume (Photos)
Commits to Global Peace Dialogue in Italy, says Akumeecretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has said Nigerians remain resolute in their determination never to relive the horrors of war, stressing that the Federal Government is deepening efforts to promote peace, religious tolerance and national cohesion across the country.

Akume spoke in Abuja while receiving the Country Representative of the Community of Saint Egidio in Nigeria, Prof. Jan De Volder, who visited him alongside the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr. Iscopo Foti, and other officials.
The visit was to formally invite the SGF to participate in an international peace gathering scheduled to hold in Italy in October, where world religious and political leaders will discuss strategies for fostering peaceful coexistence and bridging religious divides.
Speaking during the meeting, Akume highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to peacebuilding through inclusive governance and national unity, noting that despite occasional security challenges, Nigeria has continued to make progress in strengthening social harmony and combating insurgency.

“Since the civil war, Nigerians have made up their minds never to experience war again. While we may have frictions arising from our differences, we are collectively working towards peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and national unity,” Akume said.
The SGF acknowledged the security challenges confronting parts of the country but maintained that sustained government interventions had significantly weakened terrorist and insurgent groups.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working round the clock with all stakeholders to end the barbaric killings and attacks on our citizens. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is also driving economic recovery and ensuring that every segment of the population is carried along in the nation’s development process,” he added.
Akume expressed appreciation to the Community of Saint Egidio for its global commitment to peace, humanitarian service and spiritual growth, and welcomed opportunities for collaboration with international partners in advancing peace and development.
Earlier, Prof. De Volder said the Community of Saint Egidio, which has operated globally for 53 years and in Nigeria for 26 years, was founded on the principles of Prayer, Poor and Peace, describing the organisation as a bridge-builder among communities and a champion of support for vulnerable populations.
He commended Nigeria’s resilience and said his personal experience of the country differed significantly from the negative narratives often portrayed on social media and in international news reports.
According to him, the forthcoming gathering in Italy will bring together leaders from different faiths and political backgrounds to explore practical ways of fostering peace and mutual understanding in an increasingly divided world.
De Volder expressed hope that Senator Akume would attend the event alongside other religious and political leaders from Nigeria, noting that the country’s experiences in managing diversity and promoting coexistence would enrich discussions at the global forum.
The SGF accepted the invitation and pledged his participation in the October event, while reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships aimed at promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.
News
JUST IN: Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Malami-Linked Properties
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 48 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The judge granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application for permanent forfeiture after ruling that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed several motions on notice and applications to show cause filed by Malami, his family members, and associated companies, describing them as lacking merit. She stressed that the central issue before the court was not the question of ownership, but the legitimacy of the source of funds used to acquire the assets.
“The respondents have not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities,” the judge held.
Justice Abdulmalik relied principally on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act to grant the final forfeiture order. She, however, vacated the interim forfeiture order in respect of some of the properties.
The EFCC had in January 2026 initiated civil forfeiture proceedings, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at ₦212.8 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that the assets, located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami.
On January 16, 2026, vacation judge Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the publication, Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza Malami, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and several companies filed objections, arguing that the properties were lawfully acquired and that the EFCC’s case was based on speculation rather than concrete evidence.
After the court resumed from its annual vacation, the case was reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik. The EFCC maintained during hearings that the properties were bought with proceeds of unlawful activities and held in the names of fronts for the former minister. The commission argued it only needed to establish “reasonable suspicion” under the law.
In late May 2026, parties adopted their final written addresses, after which the judge reserved judgment.
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