A High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 29, 2026, ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦12 million (about US$8,800) to journalist Kasarahchi Aniagolu as damages and litigation costs over her unlawful arrest, detention, and assault while she was covering a police operation in Abuja on February 21, 2024.
Aniagolu, a reporter with The Whistler, an online news portal, was arrested on February 21, 2024, in Wuse Zone 4 Abuja, while reporting on the raid by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Bureau de Change operators. The operation targeted Bureau de Change operators who were allegedly involved in illegal foreign-exchange activities.
During her arrest, Aniagolu reportedly raised the alarm of her arrest through voice notes sent to colleagues on WhatsApp. She said officers hit her phone, confiscated her laptop and paraded her like she was part of “a criminal gang.” The police detained her and accused her of being involved in the currency-trading operation after she recorded the raid, despite showing her press identification.
On October 25, 2024, Aniagolu filed a suit, against the Nigeria Police Force for her arrest, assault and detention. In the suit, she sought ₦100 million (about $73,300) in damages for violations of her rights.
On July 29, 2026, the court ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦10 million (about US$7,330) in general damages and ₦2 million (about $1,470) in litigation costs, bringing the total to ₦12 million (about US$8,800).
In a ruling delivered by Justice Bello Kawu, the actions of the police officers were found to be unlawful and unconstitutional. He added that the police subjected Aniagolu to inhuman and degrading treatment, which violated section 34(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution. He also held that her abduction and detention infringed her right to personal liberty under section 35(1) of the Constitution.
This judgment is significant, as it not only affirms the constitutional rights of Aniagolu, but also serves as a strong rebuke to the unlawful conduct of the police.
The MFWA welcomes the judgment as an important step towards protecting press freedom and ensuring accountability for violations against journalists in Nigeria particularly those perpetrated by the police. The MFWA also commends the Court for reaffirming the importance of press freedom and the protection of journalists. We encourages the Nigeria police Force to respect the ruling and take meaningful steps to prevent similar violations in the future.
