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.

The Management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approved Thursday, 9th July, 2026, as the passing-out date for the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps Members.

NYSC announced the date in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday and signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.

Activities leading up to the passing-out exercise commenced on June 23.

NYSC said the low-key exercise would culminate in the distribution of Certificates of National Service to eligible corps members across all local government areas of the country.

Image: Sowore torn between DSS and Kuje Prison officers

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday fixed June 30, 2026, for ruling on an application by activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, seeking the restoration of his bail and the setting aside of a bench warrant issued against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter after parties adopted their processes in the application, remanding Sowore in Kuje Custodial Centre after dramatic scenes at the court.

Following this, the Department of State Services (DSS) distanced itself from the remand , insisting that Sowore’s remand resulted entirely from court proceedings and not from any action taken by the agency.

The DSS position was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters, Favour Dozie.

The agency also disclosed that its director-general, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22.

The DSS said that it had taken note of public concerns over scenes at the court showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS operatives.

Although the agency noted that Sowore eventually chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service after the incident, it said an immediate investigation had been ordered into the alleged conduct of personnel involved.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that the issues which led to the revocation of his bail and his subsequent remand arose entirely from court processes, as the Service neither arrested him nor opposed his bail application,” the statement said.