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ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Pay ₦10 Million to Abuja Journalist Over Police Assault

Judgement cites violation of rights after police detained and assaulted Jide Oyekunle during protest coverage in FCT

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Judgement cites violation of rights after police detained and assaulted Jide Oyekunle during protest coverage in FCT

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has directed the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pay ₦10 million in damages to Mr. Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, over his unlawful arrest and assault by police officers at Eagle Square, Abuja. The ruling was delivered on June 22, following a suit brought under the eRIGHTS project led by Avocats Sans Frontières France, with support from the European Union.

According to court documents, Oyekunle—who previously served as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents’ Chapel—was covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests on August 1, 2024, when armed police officers acting on the instruction of then-FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, physically assaulted him. His camera was destroyed and his mobile phone seized before he was detained without legal justification.

The ECOWAS Court found that the actions of the Nigerian police constituted an excessive and unjustified use of force, violating Oyekunle’s rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, dignity, and property as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In its judgement on Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25, the court accepted submissions from Oyekunle’s counsel, Collins I. Maidoh-Anene, Esq., who argued that such police conduct undermines press freedom and contravenes international legal standards.

Avocats Sans Frontières France welcomed the decision as a victory for journalists’ rights in Nigeria. In a statement released after the judgement, representatives of the group said: “This ruling sends a clear message that journalists must be protected against all forms of abuse in the course of their duties.”

Nigerian authorities have not yet issued an official response to the court’s order. The judgement is expected to spur renewed debate around police accountability and protection for journalists nationwide.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/national/ecowas-court-awards-nigerian-journalist-n10m-damages/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Kogi University Arrests Two Suspected Cultists, Intensifies Crackdown on Campus Crime

Vice-Chancellor Salisu Ogbo Usman vows sustained action as students confess to cult membership after arrest in Anyigba

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Vice-Chancellor Salisu Ogbo Usman vows sustained action as students confess to cult membership after arrest in Anyigba

Authorities at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, have arrested two suspected cultists on campus as part of a renewed crackdown on cultism and related criminal activities. The suspects, Fidelis Atuluku (Matric. No. 2026SE1252) and Monday Okolo (Matric. No. 2026SE1247), both first-year students from the Department of Social Studies/Education, were apprehended on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026 following a tip-off.

According to the university’s management, the suspects were tracked by a joint security team and found in possession of charms while within the school premises. Upon interrogation, both students confessed to being members of the Juris Confraternity and revealed they had been initiated prior to their admission into the university. The institution stated that the suspects would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and legal action.

The latest arrests come amid heightened security concerns after a recent breach on campus prompted university authorities to declare ‘total war’ against cultism. Cult-related violence has remained a pressing issue in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, with many stakeholders worried about its impact on academic life and student safety.

In an official statement issued by Uredo Omale, the university’s public relations officer, Vice-Chancellor Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman reiterated management’s commitment to rooting out cultism and restoring sanity within the institution. “We will not relent until we rid our campus of all criminal elements,” Usman said. He further advised parents and guardians to closely monitor their wards and remain vigilant against signs of involvement in illegal groups.

With investigations ongoing, the university has pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to safeguard lives and property on campus. The development underscores growing efforts by educational authorities nationwide to stem the tide of cult-related violence in Nigerian universities.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/two-more-arrested-as-kogi-varsity-declares-total-war-against-cultism/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

CAP Plc Appoints New Executive Director and Company Secretary in Lagos

Board makes leadership changes to strengthen governance as company targets improved performance in Nigeria’s paints sector

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Board makes leadership changes to strengthen governance as company targets improved performance in Nigeria’s paints sector

Chemical and Allied Products Plc (CAP Plc), a leading manufacturer in Nigeria’s paints and coatings industry, has announced the appointment of a new executive director and company secretary. The appointments were made public on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, following a meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Lagos State.

According to a statement issued by CAP Plc, the board approved the appointments as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce effective corporate governance and drive business growth. The new executive director is expected to bring strategic leadership experience to the management team, while the company secretary will oversee regulatory compliance and board processes.

Industry analysts say this move is significant for CAP Plc as competition intensifies within Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. The paints and coatings industry has seen increased demand from real estate and construction activities, but also faces challenges such as fluctuating naira exchange rates and rising production costs.

The board expressed confidence that the newly appointed executives will help position CAP Plc for greater efficiency and market leadership. “These appointments align with our vision to maintain high standards of accountability and deliver value to shareholders,” the board noted in its statement.

With these changes, CAP Plc aims to strengthen its management structure ahead of upcoming business expansion plans. The company is also expected to update shareholders on its performance at the next annual general meeting.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/890396-cap-plc-appoints-executive-director-company-secretary.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Elon Musk Loses Trillionaire Status as Net Worth Falls Globally

Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s wealth drops below ₦1.7 trillion after recent stock market fluctuations and tech sector slowdown

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Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s wealth drops below ₦1.7 trillion after recent stock market fluctuations and tech sector slowdown

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of Tesla and SpaceX, has lost his status as the world’s first trillionaire following a significant drop in his net worth this week. The development, which has attracted attention among global investors and Nigerian tech enthusiasts alike, comes after a sharp decline in the value of shares held across his companies.

Musk’s wealth dipped following a selloff in the technology sector on major stock exchanges, with Tesla experiencing notable losses that erased billions from its market capitalisation. The billionaire entrepreneur, who previously reached the trillion-dollar mark due to surging Tesla valuations, now finds his fortune reduced below that threshold, according to global financial tracking platforms.

The change marks a reversal from late 2025 when Musk’s net worth soared amid strong demand for electric vehicles and advances in space technology. For many Nigerians following international markets, Musk’s trajectory is closely watched as it reflects broader trends impacting tech investments and innovation funding worldwide.

Financial analysts attribute the recent downturn to shifting investor sentiment and concerns over rising interest rates globally. “High-profile figures like Elon Musk are not immune to the volatility we’re seeing,” said one Lagos-based analyst on Wednesday. “This could affect foreign investment patterns in Africa’s own emerging tech sector.” There was no immediate official comment from Musk or representatives of Tesla at press time.

Market watchers say further fluctuations are likely as global economic pressures continue to weigh on technology shares. For Nigerian entrepreneurs and investors, experts suggest keeping a close eye on international trends that could shape access to capital and valuation prospects for local startups.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/890394-elon-musk-loses-trillionaire-status-as-net-worth-drops.html

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