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ECOWAS COURT FINDS NIGERIA IN BREACH OF MULTIPLE ACHPR ARTICLES RESULTING IN SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
ECOWAS COURT FINDS NIGERIA IN BREACH OF MULTIPLE ACHPR ARTICLES RESULTING IN SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has ruled that Nigeria violated the human rights of Obianuju Catherine Udeh and two others.
The Court found Nigeria in breach of Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically pertaining to the right to life, security of person, freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibition of torture, duty of the state to investigate, and the right to effective remedy.
The Applicants, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka alleged that these violations have occurred during the peaceful protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020.
Justice Koroma Mohamed Sengu, the Judge Rapporteur, who delivered the judgment said that the Court dismissed the allegation that the right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the ACPHR is violated. However, he said that the Respondent must pay each Applicant N2 million as compensation for violations of their security of person, prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, duty to investigate human rights violations, and right to effective remedy.
Additionally, the Respondent must adhere to its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, investigate and prosecute its agents responsible for these violations, and report to the Court within six months on the measures taken to implement this judgment.
The Applicants alleged that during the peaceful protests against the SARS Unit of the Nigerian Police Force at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, on October 20 and 21, 2020, the Respondent committed several human rights violations.
Triggered by the alleged killing of Daniel Chibuike, the protests aimed to address police harassment and brutality. The First Applicant’s claims include that the soldiers shot protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries, which she live-streamed, subsequently receiving threatening phone calls that forced her into hiding and eventual asylum. The Second Applicant, responsible for protesters’ welfare, describes how soldiers began shooting after a power cut, leading to her hospitalisation due to police tear gas. The Third Applicant recounted narrowly escaping being shot, observing the refusal of ambulance entry by soldiers, and later witnessing inadequate hospital care for victims.
She argued that she and her colleagues took over the victims’ care and she faced ongoing threats and surveillance, believed to be by Respondent’s agents. The Applicants sought declaratory reliefs and compensation from the Court for these violations.
The Respondent denied all claims made by the Applicants, asserting that the protesters unlawfully assembled at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, under the guise of protesting against SARS. The Respondent also maintained that its agents followed strict rules of engagement and did not shoot or kill protesters. It argued that the First
Applicant incited the crowd by playing music and using her Instagram page to stir disaffection against law enforcement, who were targeting escapee members of Boko Haram and bandits.
The Respondent contended that the Second Applicant’s provision of logistics and welfare support indicated her support for the violent protest. It claimed that soldiers were present to restore peace until the police arrived, denying any harm inflicted on protesters and the refusal of ambulance access.
The Respondent also denied that the Third Applicant’s presence was peaceful, asserting it was meant to escalate violence. It argued that the treatment and care of the injured were managed by the Lagos State government and submits that the Applicants have not provided credible evidence to support their claims, or the reliefs sought.
In its judgment, the Court found there was no violation of the right to life as the Applicants filed their claims in vitam.
However, the Court held that several articles of the ACHPR were breached by the Respondent, which occasioned fundamental breaches of human rights violation therein.
Furthermore, the Court declared that the Applicants were denied the right to an effective remedy.
The Court ordered that the Respondent make reparations to the Applicants for the violation of their fundamental human rights.
Also on the three-member panel were Honourable Justices Dupe Atoki, presiding and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.
ECOWAS COURT FINDS NIGERIA IN BREACH OF MULTIPLE ACHPR ARTICLES RESULTING IN SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Zulum hails Nasarawa Governor, Engr Abdullahi at 65
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, felicitates the governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, as he celebrates his 65th birthday.
Zulum, in a statement released by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, on Friday, extolled the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, describing it as exemplary.
Zulum was quoted as saying, “On behalf of the people and government of Borno State, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your birthday. Your leadership in Nasarawa State has been an inspiration and your commitment to progress and development is commendable.”
He added, “As you celebrate this special day, may it be filled with joy, good health and continued success in your endeavours. Let us work towards a brighter future for our states and nation.”
Governor Zulum expresses gratitude to Allah (SWT) for Governor Sule’s good health and strength while urging him to remain steadfast in his values and services to the good people of Nasarawa State.
Zulum hails Nasarawa Governor, Engr Abdullahi at 65
Zulum mourns death of Jigawa Gov’s mother, son
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, over the tragic loss of his mother, Hajiya Maryam Umar Namadi, and his eldest son, Abdulwahab Namadi.
Governor Zulum, who is also the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum, described the loss of two beloved family members within 24 hours as devastating and acknowledged it as the will of Almighty Allah.
“On behalf of the people of Borno State and the entire North East region, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency and the people of Jigawa State over the tragic loss of your beloved mother and son,” Governor Zulum stated.
He described as painful, losing both a mother and a son in such a short period and called for faith and resilience in the face of such trials.
“As Muslims, we believe that everything that happens, whether positive or otherwise, is destined by the Almighty,” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum prayed Allah to grant the departed Aljannatul Firdaus.
He also prayed for strength and fortitude for Governor Namadi, his family, and the people of Jigawa State to bear the irreparable loss.
Borno Widows, Orphans Laud Gov Zulum Over Christmas Gifts
By Francis Okoye
Widows and orphans including less privileged in Maiduguri have lauded Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum for donating gift of N50,000 to over 250 of them for Christmas celebration.
The widows and orphans who were assembled on Tuesday, 24 December , at the pompomari area of Maiduguri, said the Governor’s benevolence has raised their hope of celebrating the festive period amid the economic crunch bedeveiling the citizens due to high cost of living.
Speaking, Maram Saleh who lost her husband four years ago, said she was thinking how she can even get some cups of rice and condiments for the Christmas before the Governor’s gesture came their way.
She therefore, lauded Governor Zulum for making the celebration a reality for so many of her kinds who are feeding from hand to mouth due to the loss of their bread winners, saying that she can now go home and celebrate the Christmas with her children with joy.
In the same sentiment, Patience Bitrus, a mother of five children who lost her husband at the pick of the Boko Haram insurgency, said her hope of celebrating the Christmas with members of her family was rekindled by the Governor’s benevolence.
” We are really grateful to Governor Zulum for coming to the aid of the widows and orphans especially, at this year’s Christmas when there is high cost of living and economic hardship. We will continue to pray for the Governor for more wisdom, good health and courage to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens as he has been doing,” she said.
Also speaking, trio of Eunice Onwuchekwe , Sarah Hakila and Elizabeth Ani, expressed their joy over the Governor’s gesture describing it as one of the best gifts coming their way.
The Coordinator/ Zonal Chairman Ohanaeze All Progressives Congress ( APC ) , Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike, commended Governor Zulum for coming to the aid of the widows, orphans and less with the Christmas gifts.
He noted that the Governor had been celebrating Christmas for the widows and orphans since 2020 to date with cash gifts, adding that 250 beneficiaries were targeted from benefiting from the gesture, but due to the harsh economic reality facing people of the country , more people turned up to benefit from the gesture. End
The Secretary of the Ohanaeze APC Support Group, Asiwaju Alabi , expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for providing free transport scheme to 710 non indigenes in the State to travel to their various States for the celebration of Christmas and new year with their loved ones, as well as the cash gifts to the widows and orphans in the State.
Borno Widows, Orphans Laud Gov Zulum Over Christmas Gifts
Zulum hails Nasarawa Governor, Engr Abdullahi at 65
ECOWAS Insists Niger’s Allegation of Terrorism Against Nigeria, Others Unfounded
Zulum mourns death of Jigawa Gov’s mother, son
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