A regional court has ruled against Nigeria, holding the government accountable for human rights violations during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice delivered the verdict on Wednesday, following a lawsuit filed by three Nigerian citizens who took part in the demonstrations against police brutality.
The lawsuit focused on the violent crackdown by security forces at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where live ammunition was used against unarmed protesters. The ECOWAS court condemned the government’s actions, calling them a breach of several key articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court’s judgment outlined specific violations by the Nigerian government, including the right to life, freedom from violence and torture, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. The court also criticized the government for not investigating the abuses or providing adequate remedies to the victims.
As part of the ruling, the ECOWAS court ordered the Nigerian government to compensate each plaintiff with N2 million (U.S.$1,422). Additionally, the court mandated a thorough investigation into the actions of the security forces and the prosecution of those responsible for the violations. The Nigerian government has been given six months to report back on the measures taken to implement this judgment.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
