The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay N10 million in general damages to journalist Jide Oyekunle. Reports from Nigeria’s Vanguard and Daily Post Nigeria say the court’s decision follows findings that Nigeria violated Oyekunle’s rights through physical assault, unlawful arrest, and the seizure of his property.
The ruling is described as a landmark case and is linked to a suit brought before the ECOWAS court, identified in one report as Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25. Daily Post Nigeria also notes that the legal action was secured with assistance from Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders), while Vanguard summarises that the court held the Federal Government liable for the violations.
Both sources present the same core outcome: an ECOWAS court judgment awarding N10 million in general damages to the journalist, stemming from alleged abuse and interference by Nigerian authorities connected to the arrest and seizure involving Oyekunle.
