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.