ECOWAS Court dismisses suit against Nigeria over shrine destruction

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by a Nigerian, Lovina Adonor, seeking compensation from the Federal Government for the destruction of her shrine.

Adonor, a self-acclaimed priestess, had in the suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/61/22, sought the enforcement of her fundamental human rights against Nigeria.

The plaintiff had in her submission claimed that her shrine was attacked and vandalised by some private individuals, forcing her to flee the community due to threats to her life.

She also alleged that the Nigerian government failed to provide adequate protection, investigate her complaints, or address the destruction of her religious materials and property.

The plaintiff argued that such violated rights were encapsulated under ECOWAS basic texts and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

READ ALSO: ECOWAS Court orders Nigeria to pay victim of police torture N5m in compensation

However, Justice Sengu Koroma declined to grant the applicant’s prayer for any reparations or order for perpetual injunction against the respondent.

Other members of the panel are – Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding) and Edward Asante.

The judge held that Adonor failed to establish a direct connection between the alleged violation of her rights and the Nigerian government or its agents.

He further held that Nigeria had adequately investigated the complaints, while the individuals responsible for the alleged acts were private citizens, who had been detained and later released after due process.

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