In a landmark ruling, the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has found the Federal Republic of Nigeria guilty of violating the human rights of Obianuju Udeh and two others during the Lekki Toll Gate protests.
Why It Matters
The court determined that Nigeria breached several provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including the rights to security, freedom of expression, assembly, and the prohibition of torture. These violations allegedly occurred during peaceful demonstrations on October 20 and 21, 2020.
Presiding judge Justice Koroma Sengu dismissed claims of the right to life violation but ordered the Nigerian government to compensate each applicant with N2 million for breaches of their personal security, torture prevention, freedom of expression, assembly rights, obligation to investigate human rights abuses, and the right to an effective remedy.
Additionally, the court mandated Nigeria to fulfill its obligations under the African Charter by prosecuting those responsible for the violations and reporting back within six months on actions taken.
What They Are saying
Obianuju Udeh and her co-applicants detailed harrowing accounts of military gunfire, injuries, and inadequate medical care following the protests, which were sparked by alleged police brutality and the death of Daniel Chibuike.
Nigeria, however, denied all allegations, asserting that the protests were unlawful and that security forces acted in accordance with protocols to restore order without causing harm.
Bottom Line
Despite the court’s dismissal of the life violation claim, it concluded significant breaches of human rights occurred and ordered reparations for the applicants.
