ECOWAS Court Orders Nigerian Government to Pay ₦10 Million Over Student’s Unlawful Detention

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled that the Nigerian government must pay ₦10 million in compensation to Glory Okolie for her illegal detention and mistreatment by police. This judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 21, 2024, follows a case in which Okolie, a Nigerian student, was detained without judicial approval on June 13, 2021.

The court further mandated the government to implement policies to prevent similar violations of human rights in the future. Okolie, who was arrested and held incommunicado, suffered forced labor, physical abuse, and was denied legal representation during her detention. The legal suit, filed by Okolie in collaboration with the One Love Foundation and the Incorporated Trustees of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, emphasized the violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as the Revised ECOWAS Treaty.

ALSO READ: ECOWAS Court Dismisses Nigerians N5 Million Damages Claim Over Police Torture

In defense, the Nigerian government claimed that Okolie had ties with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group banned for alleged terrorism. The government maintained that her detention was essential for national security.

However, the court, led by Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, ruled that Okolie’s prolonged detention without judicial oversight violated her fundamental rights, including the right to liberty and a fair trial. The court described her treatment as an “abuse of human rights” and ordered the government to pay the ₦10 million in damages while ensuring she would not face further harassment.

While the case resulted in a favorable ruling for Okolie, the court dismissed the claims made by the two co-applicant NGOs due to procedural issues. The panel overseeing the case consisted of Justices Ricardo Gonçalves, Sengu Mohamed Koroma, and Edward Amoako Asante.