The court found Nigeria in breach of Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically pertaining to the right to life, security of person, freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibition of torture, the duty of the state to investigate, and the right to an effective remedy.

The court ordered payment of N2m as compensation for violations of their rights, adding that the security agents responsible for the offences should be prosecuted and report to the court within six months on the measures taken to implement this judgment.

The applicants, Obianuju Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka alleged that these violations occurred during the peaceful protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020.

The first applicant, Udeh alleged that the soldiers shot protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries, which she live-streamed, subsequently receiving threatening phone calls that forced her into hiding and eventual asylum.

The second applicant, responsible for protesters’ welfare, describes how soldiers began shooting after a power cut, leading to her hospitalisation due to police tear gas.

The third applicant claimed she narrowly escaped being shot, observed the refusal of ambulance entry by soldiers, and later witnessed inadequate hospital care for victims.

She argued that she and her colleagues took over the victims’ care and she faced ongoing threats and surveillance, believed to be by Respondent’s agents.

The Applicants alleged that during the peaceful protests against the SARS Unit of the Nigerian Police Force at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, on October 20 and 21, 2020, the Respondent committed several human rights violations.

In an email sent to our correspondent from the court, Justice Koroma Sengu, said the court dismissed the allegation that the right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the ACPHR was violated.

During the 2024 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima highlighted the urgent need to address this issue.

Ibrahima pointed out that many youths emigrate through dangerous and irregular means, emphasizing that strategies must be adopted to stop this perilous trend.

She called on Members of Parliament to propose initiatives that invest in the skills and capacities of West African youth, aiming to harness their potential for the subregion’s development.

This exodus, often referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome’ in Nigeria, has resulted in a significant loss of skilled youth from Africa to Europe and other developed nations.

Ibrahima’s remarks followed a presentation by Teresa Boteli, Policy and Liaison Officer of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Boteli discussed the hazardous journeys African youth undertake to reach Europe and North America, exposing themselves to severe risks such as human trafficking, exploitation, and death.

In 2023 alone, an estimated 5,000 migrant deaths were recorded.

While migrants contribute to cultural exchange and diversity, Boteli noted that they also encounter significant challenges regarding integration, discrimination, and legal obstacles in their destination countries.

According to the IOM’s 2023 report, approximately 300,000 West African migrants use perilous routes through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea annually.

The ECOWAS Parliament’s call for action underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to invest in youth skills development, aiming to create opportunities within the subregion and reduce the urge for dangerous migrations.

This formed a key highlight of the report presented at the ongoing 2023 second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

Presenting the report, Nigerian representative Lynda Ikeazu said the country wants a “harmonisation of the regional security agenda geared towards a mutual linked security goals.”

According to Ikeazu, “Given the transnational nature of the threats, non-military peace efforts would take priority over an overly militarised approach to security. A military approach has had the unintended effect of protracted armed conflicts across West Africa.”

She referenced President Bola Tinubu’s prioritisation of security in his ECOWAS vision, quoting his words that “without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive.”

The session also heard reports from Cape Verde, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and The Gambia likewise stressing security. Cape Verde said it “has invested heavily in securing its borders” but warned that “it has numerous shelters on all the islands, which has been exploited with some intensity in the relatively recent past by drug traffickers.”

For Senegal, its report noted that, while largely stable, “there are still pockets of hostilities around the borders with Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia in the Casamance region.”

The Gambian presentation cited successes from ongoing security reforms but added that “all these efforts are geared towards guaranteeing the protection of human rights and non-recurrence of the violation of fundamental human rights by security forces.”

ECOWAS parliament speaker Sidie Tunis presided over the session attended by delegations pushing for regional cohesion against terrorism and transnational crimes threatening West Africa’s economic progress

The judgment was delivered in response to a suit filed by the non-governmental organization Expression Now Human Rights Initiative against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ECOWAS court held that the Nigerian government had neglected its responsibility to harmonize domestic legislation with international obligations, emphasizing the need for alignment with guarantees and obligations under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

The applicant, represented by Solomon Okedara & Co, specifically contested provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) and its Amendments, arguing that they contravene the principle of freedom of expression.

Justice Dupe Atoki, presiding over the case, observed that certain articles of the Code were overly broad and ambiguous, potentially leading to the restriction of the right to freedom of expression.

The court ordered the Nigerian government to align these articles with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and to refrain from enforcing them until alignment is achieved.

This ruling echoes a previous decision in May 2023 when the Federal High Court Abuja issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Broadcasting Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations.

In that case, Justice James Omotosho emphasized that the NBC, not being a court of law, lacked the authority to impose sanctions as punishment on broadcast stations.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Let me commence by welcoming you all to the Second Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, within the space of ten days. Your presence here, despite the short notice, demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our esteemed community to finding a lasting solution to the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

2. Today, we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation. During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military takeover and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government. We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger. Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome. We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation. One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.

4. Similarly, as part of a coherent diplomatic initiatives, Special Envoys were dispatched to non-ECOWAS nations, particularly Libya and Algeria. During these engagements, the Envoy designated for Libya had the privilege of an audience with the President of Libya. This discourse resulted in an unequivocal expression of support for the resolutions adopted by ECOWAS aimed at restoring constitutional governance in Niger. In Algeria, the Envoy was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the President of the country. These initiatives are aimed at presenting a cohesive and united stance regarding the ongoing circumstances in Niger, thus showing a collaborative and concerted approach among African nations

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Following the resolution of our previous Extraordinary Summit to initiate a meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was duly held from 2nd to 4thAugust, 2023. The outcome of that meeting, as well as a Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on current socio-political developments in Niger, will be presented during this Summit. These will offer critical insights that will inform our collective decision-making process at this meeting.

6. Today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since our last gathering. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress. Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.

Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach. We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.

7. More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region. By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.

Esteemed Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. I am confident that this 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger will be a defining moment in our journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa. Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow Africans as we strive to build a future defined by peace, progress, and prosperity.

9. In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that our deliberations will be productive and fruitful, leading us to find an amicable solution to the political crisis in Niger. As we continue to work together in solidarity and harmony, we can ensure a prosperous future for the entire West African region.

10. With these remarks, I hereby declare this Extraordinary Summit open.

Thank you all, for your attention.

“ECOWAS heads of state (will) hold another extraordinary summit on the political situation in the Republic of Niger,” the 15-member bloc said in its first official reaction after Niger ignored Sunday’s deadline to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

The summit is to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, whose president Bola Tinubu is the current ECOWAS chairman.

Earlier on Monday, an ECOWAS source said West African nations were not envisaging an immediate military intervention at this stage.

Italy and Germany called for a diplomatic solution in the troubled Sahel nation.

Neighbouring Mali said it and Burkina Faso — which have both been suspended from ECOWAS over their own military coups — were sending a joint official delegation to Niamey to show “solidarity (with) the people of Niger”.

They have said military intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war.

The Nigeria Television Authority confirmed the meeting between the two leaders in a video posted on Twitter.

The reason for their meeting was not stated

The Director General of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, Mr Felix Ihonre, who made the disclosure in Uyo on Wednesday, said the festival would hold from April 25 to  April 29.

Ihonre said that the theme of the festival is: “Celebrating Africa’s Cultural Heritage for Peace and Development”.

He said the programme would promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and bring together stakeholders from all walks of life to articulate positive action plans as well as strategies on how to end poverty in the country.

Ihonre further said that the event would give Akwa Ibom the opportunity to showcase its rich cuisines and boost the internally generated revenue of the host state in particular and Nigeria at large.

“This all-important event aims to attract foreign investors/investments to the host state, Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

“It will promote African cultural heritage, food/hospitality industries for tourism, peace and development; promote a region for sustainable/ qualitative/quantitative food, cultural and industrial revolution.

“Promote friendship, peace, economic integration and trade in ECOWAS with the global community; expose the economic/cultural potential of host state/country /ECOWAS to the world.

“It will also promote youth development, employment and internal revenue to the host state, country and ECOWAS.

“The event is in partnership or sponsorship of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and other MDAs.

‘It will also be a collaboration of the host state, Akwa Ibom state through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism,” he said.

According to him, the goal of the event is geared toward a food and cultural revolution in West Africa.

The DG said it was also for peace, security, sustainable development and investment that would promote a source of livelihood for employment and nutrition.

He noted that the programme would be on a rotational basis and would bring more economic fortune to the state.

“It will showcase the host country’s potential to the world and promote peace and cordiality within the 15- member countries of ECOWAS.

“The main event will be cultural floats from across the nation, we will have a session with students and youths, where they will be engaged in essay competitions in food security,” he explained.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Lawrence Umoren, said that Akwa Ibom had been adjudged to be one of the cleanest, safest and most peaceful states with a good road network.

Umoren said that it was high time for the people of the Akwa Ibom to showcase to the world the rich culture and cuisines of the state.

This appeal was made on Wednesday in Owerri at the ongoing mediation and dialogue training for political actors in the Southeast and South-South Zones, in collaboration with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and other stakeholders. It was made by Dr. Onyinye Onwuka, Head of Mediation and Coordination of Regional Political Affairs, MCRA, ECOWAS Commission.

At the fourth and final training and interactive engagement in the series, Onwuka, who spoke on behalf of the President of the Commission, Amb. Omar Alieu Touray, and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fattah Musah, also tasked the political actors to renew their commitments to upholding the provisions of the signed Peace Accord and the Electoral Act and Guidelines, stressing that these are what would ensure peaceful and credible elections.

She clarified that this was a tactical assistance and intervention measure for peaceful general elections in Nigeria in 2023.

Onwuka further declared that the ECOWAS Commission was ready to continue working with the appropriate parties to ensure the prevention of election-related tensions and violence throughout the entire West African region, not only in Nigeria.

In order to achieve this, she stated that they are giving creating platforms and opportunities for such interactions top priority. She also mentioned supporting initiatives aimed at giving stakeholders the knowledge and abilities they need to manage election-related disputes through inclusive dialogue and mediation.

In a similar vein, Engr. Yabagi Sani, the National Chairman of IPAC, concurred with the ECOWAS Commission on the significance of Nigeria to West Africa and the entire world, noting that all Africans and the rest of the world look to Nigeria to conduct a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible election.

Sani asserts that by providing training in communication and mediation aimed at ensuring peaceful elections in 2023, ECOWAS is being proactive and conscious of its obligations.

He said, “So like I said, this training is very timely and appropriate to prepare various political parties and key players in the exercise of the 2023 elections on the need to always go the way of peace through dialogue. This is because once we can communicate, you find out that problems are largely solved.”

He assured that the participants who are mostly political actors would internalize the essence of the training and work towards free, fair, and credible polls in the country.

On his part, the Head of the Department, of Election and Party Monitoring, EPM, Mr. Victor O. Nwokeabia, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Imo state, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, described the program as fundamentally crucial to the in-coming election, noting that no meaningful election could take place in an environment prone to violence.

“I believe that after this event, you will all go home, and inform your candidates and members of your political parties on the importance of alternative dispute resolution,” he stated.

Nwokeabia assured that INEC was ready to conduct a violent-free election, assuring that it would no longer be business as usual with BVAS.

He added that other electronic devices procured by INEC for free and fair elections would be used to give Nigerians the best election this year.

Also speaking, the commissioner of police in Imo State, CP Mohammed Barde who spoke through CSP Mike Abattam assured that the security agencies would leave no stone unturned to contribute their quota for a credible election.

He however pleaded with the media for accurate, objective, and unbiased reportage of the election, avoidance of hate speeches by politicians, and the need to educate the people on their rights as established in the constitution.

According to him, “As we prepare for the polls, there must be information flow by the media during the pre-election, election itself, and post-election.”

The workshop featured lectures on Dialogue and Mediation processes for the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)– Nigeria by Professor Joy Onyesoh, Dr. Onyinye Onwuka, and Dr. Brown Odige as well as a goodwill message from Ambassador Musa Sani, Nuhu- -Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS through the Senior Councillor, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to ECOWAS; Mr. Makwe Samuel Victor. This brings to an end the series of the trainings aimed at peacefully 2023 polls having taken place in Lagos for the Southwest, Kano for the Northwest and parts of Northeast, and Jos for North Central and parts of Northeast.

The Commission said because of Nigeria’s enormous population it is working tirelessly to ensure that the electoral processes are done peacefully to avoid anything that can lead to conflict, warning that the region lacks the capacity to contain potential refugees.

This was disclosed by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abel Fatau, at the opening of a training and interactive on “Use of Dialogue and Mediation as Tools for Preventing and/or Mitigating Election Related Disputes and Violence”, in Jos, Plateau State Capital.

The training and interactive session had participants from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) cutting across the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones of the country.

Fatau who was represented by the Commission’s Program Officer, Mediation, Dr Brown Odigie, said, “The essence of the programme is to bring stakeholders together, the leadership of the IPAC from the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones, for them to dialogue, discuss, brainstorm, over the level of preparation for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

“With the hope of ensuring that all stakeholders play their role, including the police and INEC in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible election that will be acceptable to all Nigerians.

“Creating space for dialogue and inclusivity in the electoral processes is key; because once you deny that inclusivity factor; it creates an opportunity for people to resort to violence.

“Grievances can be brought out and collectively, we look at the contentious issues and find common ground.

“We are doing it specifically for Nigeria because Nigeria is strategic in ECOWAS.

“Nigeria has an enormous population; election is a period that can generate conflict and if not effectively managed, have the potential of snowballing into violence.

“And when violence occurs, with the enormous population of Nigeria, it can spill over to other neighbouring countries.

“And I can assure you, no member country within ECOWAS will have the capacity to accommodate refugees from Nigeria.

“That is why, we do all we can, to encourage stakeholders to dialogue, by looking at contentious issues and seek ways to amicably resolve it to have a peaceful outcome”, he stressed.

In her remarks, the Program Officer of the United Nations Office in West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Liaison Office in Nigeria, Mrs Sa’adatu Shuaibu said the training falls within the framework of UNOWAS JOINT efforts with ECOWAS to support member states in their efforts to conduct peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections and entrench democracy.

“As part of its efforts to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria, UNOWAS has conducted various engagements with national stakeholders.

“It engaged with Nigeria authorities, parties, some presidential candidates, civil society organisations, the Independent national electoral commission ( INEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and members of the diplomatic corps on the need to strengthen peace, democracy, development and good governance in Nigeria”.

In his address, the National Secretary of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle said, “A free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, peaceful and acceptable election is the beauty and bedrock of democracy.

According to him, The 2023 general elections are critical for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

“The success of the elections will be a defining moment for our fellow compatriots who desire and yearn for transformational, visionary, progressive, purposeful and resourceful leaders who will restore Nigeria as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa”, he maintained.

Also speaking, Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Bartholomew Onyeka, represented by ACP Ejike Ochiabutor, said, “Plateau State Police Command under my watch as the prime law enforcement agency in the state has involved various workable strategic measures to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are conducted peacefully without any hitch all over the State.

He said, “The Command has carried out effective sensitisation of its officers and critical stakeholders in the state to virtually all rules guiding the conduct of the elections”

“We have made golden plans on how best to make deployments, protect the integrity of the electoral process, and make sure elections are credible to all, taking past elections as a case study”, he assured.

Representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Egwurube Otokpa, the ECOWAS Commission has taken a very unique and very important step that will no doubt help to strengthen channels of information and deepen relations amongst the stakeholders and promote widespread collaborations on common issues faced and if one such arises are collectively addressed.

“We also urge stakeholders’ participation in this forum to act and behave responsibly even in the face of defeat or when they are victorious because in an electoral contest, there must be a loser and there must be a winner.