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ECOWAS Court Dismisses Application by NGO Seeking Compensation for Families of Journalists Allegedly Murdered

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ECOWAS Court Dismisses Application by NGO Seeking Compensation for Families of Journalists Allegedly Murdered

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a suit brought by a registered NGO, the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, requesting the Court to hold the Nigerian government liable for violation of the rights to life and freedom of expression of 11 journalists allegedly murdered at different times in the line of duty.

Justice Dupe Atoki, judge rapporteur who delivered the judgment on Tuesday in Abuja, upheld the preliminary objection of the Respondent, Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the NGO lacked legal capacity to file the suit on behalf of the 11 deceased journalists identified in their initiating application.

She also adjudged that the NGO was not in a position to demand compensation for identified victims while it claimed to be suing in the interest of the public. Both parties were ordered to bear their costs of litigation.

Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda through its lead counsel Mr. Darlington Onyekwere filed the case with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/48/21 on 16 August 2021 alleging that the Nigerian government violated the rights to life and freedom of expression of the deceased journalists under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and sought an order directing the payment of 10 Million Naira as compensation to each of the victims’ family.

He also asked the Court to hold the Nigerian government liable for its failure to carry out an effective investigation leading to the prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators the murders.

On their part, the Nigerian government raised a preliminary objection challenging the capacity of the NGO to bring the application before the Court since the NGO is neither a direct nor indirect victim of the rights allegedly violated. In addition, it argued that the NGO did not qualify to sue in a public interest capacity since the case was not one to which the “actio-popularis” (public interest action) principle was applicable.

In its judgment, the Court noted that while violations of freedom of expression particularly as it relates to journalists is matter of public interest, the application failed to fulfil the other conditions of admissibility and therefore declared the action inadmissible.

Also on the panel were Justices Gberi-Bè Ouattara, presiding, and Sengu Mohamed Koroma, member.

ECOWAS Court Dismisses Application by NGO Seeking Compensation for Families of Journalists Allegedly Murdered

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Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings

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Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings

By: Michael Mike

Political Leaders from the Southwest have lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state as a performing governor during a visit to the state capital, Makurdi.

Top leaders under the auspices of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), during a condolence visit to the people of Yelwata community in Guma local government area of Benue state where over 200 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen with many others injured and displaced recently, were impressed by how the state government handled both the medical and the political outcome of the attack.

The delegation led by it chairman, Prince Dr Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi also visited the survivors of the attack undergoing treatment at the Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

Recalled that President Bola Tinubu had visited Benue on the heels of the deadly attack in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area and directed security agencies to urgently gather actionable intelligence and flush out the armed herdsmen responsible for the dastardly act.

Addressing leaders and members of the Yelwata community, Olusi consoled with them, assuring that the GAC shared in their pains and that the highest body of the APC in Lagos would support every effort to restore peace in the area.

He said the visit which was in solidarity with the APC-led administration of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, is intended to comfort the families of the deceased, victims and survivors so as to let them know that they were not alone in their challenge time but they have empathy of others.

“Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), a top organ of the Lagos APC is here in solidarity with the APC administration of your hardworking Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia to console with you and assure you that we feel your pains and we will also support all efforts to restore security and reinkindle hope.

“We also appeal to you to keep faith with the administration of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who here in Benue to condole with you and gave directives to the security agencies to fish out the culprits and restore security so that you can go about your normal businesses.

“The mother of the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was here too to bring succour to you. Your Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia is also doing his best in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the APC-led government to make you more secured and comfortable,”Olusi said.

At the Adasu University Teaching Hospital, the delegation sympathised with the victims undergoing treatment and recuperating, and wished them quick recovery.

The delegation also took time to visit the High-level roundabout underpass in Makurdi and other infrastructural development projects embarked upon by Alia administration.

The Olusi-led GAC delegation, lauded Governor Alia’s giant strides in Benue state, almost surpassing previous administrations in just two years and urged people of the state to continue to support him to do more.

Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings

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Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja

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Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.

Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.

The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.

A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.

Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.

Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.

The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja

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Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno

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Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno

By: Zagazola Makama

The Borno State Police Command has arrested a mentally unstable woman for allegedly killing a fellow internally displaced person (IDP) in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said that on Oct. 10, 2025, at about 4:35 p.m., one Modu Kolomi of RRR IDPs Camp reported that a woman identified as Yagana Zara, aged 40, of the Water Board IDPs Camp, attacked his wife, Yagana Abba Butu, aged 30, with a wooden stirrer.

The suspect, said to be mentally challenged, allegedly beat the victim severely, resulting in fatal internal injuries.

Security forces Monguno promptly visited the scene, rescued the suspect from mob action, and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Monguno, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.

The body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy and later released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.

According to sources, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation, while the suspect has been taken to a state psychiatric facility for mental evaluation.
End

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