This edition of The President’s Newsletter focuses on the landmark ECOWAS Court decision in Isaac Olamikan & Anor v. Federal Republic of Nigeria, a judgment that reshapes how journalism is understood in Nigeria and across West Africa. The Court affirmed that journalism is no longer limited to traditional media professionals, recognizing the growing role of bloggers, citizen journalists, and digital content creators in informing the public and shaping democratic discourse. While the ruling expands freedom of expression and calls for reforms to restrictive provisions of the Nigerian Press Council Act, it also highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists. The Court’s refusal to award damages for the applicants’ arrest underscores the continuing tension between state authority and the protection of press freedom.
This edition also examines the broader climate of press freedom across Africa, where many journalists continue to face arrest, detention, and intimidation for carrying out their work. These developments reinforce the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards and institutional support for media practitioners. Beyond the case analysis, the newsletter features legal insights, research highlights, public interest content, and snapshots from our recent engagements. Strengthening protections for journalists remains essential to accountability, transparency, and democratic development.
President Aigbokhan, LLB, BL, LLM, FCAI
Editor-in-Chief
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