The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compensate Oluwatimilehin Adebayo with ₦5 million for the violation of his right to freedom from torture.
The court also ordered Nigeria to conduct a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation into the torture and prosecute those responsible.
Adebayo, in his suit accused some police officers from Ogun State of subjecting him to severe physical abuse.
However, the respondent, the Nigerian Government, challenged the jurisdiction of the Court, arguing that the case was filed outside the three-year limitation period stipulated under the Court’s rules, rendering it statute-barred.
It also argued that the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter, arguing that it would involve reviewing a case that is either pending or already decided by a municipal court within the respondent state.
However, the court, in its judgment dismissed Nigeria’s preliminary objections, asserting its jurisdiction to hear human rights cases.
0
0
