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ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations
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
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.
The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.
The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four persons have been arrested over an attack on the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State who was returning from a condolence visit in Shagari Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deputy governor had visited Shagari town to commiserate with victims displaced by recent bandits’ attacks on their villages when angry displaced persons attacked him.
“On his way back around 1 p.m., the convoy was obstructed by displaced persons who blocked the road and vandalised some vehicles in the entourage.
“Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, swiftly cleared the obstruction and restored order.
“Four suspects were arrested at the scene and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet investigation,” sources said.
The sources added that calm had since returned to the area, while security had been reinforced to forestall further disturbances.
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
By: Zagazola Makama
Twenty persons, including the village head of Tungan-Sule in Malale District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger, have drowned in a boat mishap.
Sources said the tragedy occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 2 when a locally made wooden boat carrying the victims capsized while on transit between Tungan-Sule and Toduga villages.
According to the sources, all the passengers were drowned before the arrival of the rescue team.
“The bodies were later recovered and buried at the riverbank according to traditional rites,” said the sources.
The sources said that police and local authorities had visited the community to commiserate with the families of the deceased.
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
4 arrested over attack on Sokoto Deputy Governor’s convoy
20 feared dead in Niger boat mishap
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