More
    HomeNewsECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Compensate ₦5 Million for Police Torture Case

    ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Compensate ₦5 Million for Police Torture Case

    Published on

     

    The ECOWAS Court of Justice has directed the Nigerian government to pay ₦5 million in compensation to Oluwatimilehin Adebayo, following the violation of his right to freedom from torture. In its judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Dupe Atoki, the court also ordered Nigeria to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute those responsible for Adebayo’s abuse.

    Adebayo, in a case marked ECW/CCJ/APP/47/23, accused police officers in Ogun State of subjecting him to severe physical abuse, including being beaten with an axe handle and having his limbs chained to a pole. The ordeal left him with significant physical injuries, including trauma to his scrotum, and caused severe psychological distress.

    Despite Nigeria’s challenge to the court’s jurisdiction, arguing the case was filed beyond the three-year limit and was already being heard in Nigerian courts, the ECOWAS Court dismissed the objections. Justice Atoki clarified that human rights violations are not subject to the same limitation period.

    The court found that the police’s actions amounted to torture, violating the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory. It emphasized that the torture was aimed at coercing Adebayo into signing a pre-written statement.

    The court also ordered Nigeria to investigate the matter and prosecute those responsible, while dismissing the claim that Adebayo’s right to a remedy was violated, citing the lack of evidence that he had formally reported the abuse to authorities.

    Latest articles

    Tariffs: French President Demands US Investment Be Halted

    French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called urged European companies to suspend planned investment...

    Suspicious item was found close to White House day after Trump levied tariff

    There have been allegations of a suspicious package near the White House, and law...

    NAF Appoints Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame As New Spokesperson

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame as the new...

    Arokodare speaks on emotional Super Eagles debut

    Tolu Arokodare, a forward for KRC Genk, has thought back on his Nigerian debut. In...

    More like this

    Tariffs: French President Demands US Investment Be Halted

    French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called urged European companies to suspend planned investment...

    Suspicious item was found close to White House day after Trump levied tariff

    There have been allegations of a suspicious package near the White House, and law...

    NAF Appoints Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame As New Spokesperson

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame as the new...