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ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations

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ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has held the Federal Republic of Nigeria accountable for the unlawful detention and mistreatment of Nigerian student Glory Okolie.

The Court in a ruling on Thursday awarded ₦10 Million in compensation and issued directives to safeguard human rights.

The case arose from the detention of Glory Okolie on 13 June 2021, by Nigerian police authorities without judicial authorization.

According to the Applicants, Okolie, along with One Love Foundation and Incorporated Trustees of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, she was denied access to legal counsel, subjected to forced labor, and physically abused during her detention.

The Applicants argued that these actions breached several human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, seeking declarations, reparations, and a cessation of Nigeria’s unlawful conduct.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria refuted the claims, citing Okolie’s alleged connection to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed group linked to terrorist activities. The Respondent justified her detention as a matter of national security.

In the Judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court found that Okolie’s prolonged detention without judicial authorization contravened Article 7 of the African Charter, violating her right to a fair trial. The Court also found that her deprivation of liberty, absent legal justification, breached Article 6 of the African Charter. Therefore, it ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compensate Glory Okolie by paying her ₦10 million for the violations she suffered. It also ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to cease the harassment, ensuring non-repetition of such acts.

Meanwhile, The Court dismissed the claims of the co-applicant NGOs for procedural reasons.

The three-member panel of the Court were Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge and judge rapporteur), Honourable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (panel member), and Honourable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (Panel member).

ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations

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Crime

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.

The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4

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Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled terrorist attacks in parts of Sokoto State, rescuing a driver and preventing further abductions.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that on Sept. 3, at about 6:12 p.m., troops of 8 Division, while on a fighting patrol along Sabon Birnin–Isa Road, engaged terrorists who attempted to block the route.

“The terrorists were forced to flee after a fierce exchange of fire. Troops rescued a driver conveying frozen fish and assisted in towing his vehicle to Sabon Birnin,” he said.

The source added that later, on the same day at about 11:30 p.m., terrorists invaded Tungar Makera village in Wurno Local Government Area and kidnapped four locals before fleeing.

“Troops pursued the terrorists but could not make contact. However, on Sept. 4, at about 8:55 a.m., locals accosted seven suspected terrorists in Kaura village, Shagari Local Government Area.

“Unfortunately, four of the suspects were lynched by a mob led by Yansakai vigilantes before troops arrived. Troops rescued the remaining three suspects and handed them over to security authorities for further action,” the source said.

Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4

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Crime

Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State

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Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested three suspected kidnappers in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 when local vigilantes in Dukku town handed them over to troops on routine patrol along the Rijau–Duku axis.

The suspects were identified as Mohammed Mohammed, 30, Babe Sanda, 25, and Buba Matilo, 25.

According to the sources, the suspects confessed to abducting two locals from Dukku town and taking them to a terrorist hideout in Duku Forest.

The suspects are currently in troop custody for further investigation and action.

Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State

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