ECOWAS Court Orders Benin Republic Government To Pay 20m For Violating Igboho’s Rights
The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sitting in Abuja, ordered Benin’s government to pay Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), a Yoruba nation agitator, 20 million CFA for his unlawful detention and violation of his human rights.
According to the judgment of the court, ECOWAS ordered the country should pay within three months of the judgment date.
During a unanimous judgment, Justices Ouattara, Koroma, and GONALVES also called on the government of the Benin Republic to provide evidence of payment to the court within a year of the contract being signed.
The suit was marked ‘ECW/CCJ/APP/15/22 Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) Vs Republic of Benin.’
Adeyemo sought enforcement of his fundamental human rights after he was arrested and detained on July 21, 2021, on his way to the neighbouring country.
It is widely believed that the Nigerian government ordered his arrest and detention.
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On February 10, 2022, he filed suit against the Benin Republic in the ECOWAS Court, Abuja.
The Department of State Security (DSS) personnel stormed Igboho’s Soka, Ibadan home in the early hours of July 1, 2021, firing their way inside.
The DSS accused Igboho of stockpiling arms to forcefully eject killer herders from Southwest Nigeria.
Counsel for the embattled agitator included Tosin Ojaomo, Aderemilekun Omojola, and Dr Janet Fashakin, while Irene Aclombessi, represented the Republic of Benin.
In the suit, Igboho prayed to the court for an expedited hearing regarding his detention under Article 59 of the Rules of Procedure.
He also prayed for an order for his immediate and unconditional release along with his Nigerian passport, pending litigation and determination of damages, and any order as the court may deem fit.”
Igboho had planned a Yoruba nation rally in Lagos two days before the raid of his house.
He was granted bail over one year ago but was only able to meet the bail conditions recently, which led to his release.
