A High Court has awarded ₦12 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for the unlawful assault, arrest and detention of a journalist, ruling that the officers’ actions violated the constitutional rights of the media practitioner.
In its judgment, the court held that the journalist’s fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person and freedom of movement were breached by police officers, describing the arrest and detention as unconstitutional, illegal and unjustifiable.
The case stemmed from the journalist’s encounter with police officers while carrying out professional duties. According to court records, the journalist was assaulted, unlawfully detained and prevented from performing legitimate media work, prompting a suit seeking the enforcement of fundamental rights and compensation for the alleged abuses.
In delivering the judgment, the court condemned the conduct of the police, stressing that law enforcement agencies must operate within the confines of the Constitution and respect the rights of journalists and other citizens.
The court consequently awarded ₦12 million in general damages to the journalist and granted additional reliefs, including declarations that the arrest, assault and detention were unconstitutional and amounted to violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights.
The ruling reinforces constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of the press and personal liberty, while underscoring that security agencies can be held accountable for abuses committed in the course of their duties.
The judgment comes amid renewed calls by media rights advocates and civil society organisations for greater protection of journalists, particularly those covering protests, elections and other matters of public interest. Rights groups have repeatedly urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure its personnel respect press freedom and adhere to constitutional safeguards in dealing with media professionals.
