ECOWAS Court Awards N30 Million To Glory Okolie Over Illegal Detention

 

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja has awarded the sum of N30 million to 22-year-old Glory Okolie, who was illegally detained and subjected to inhumane treatment by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force.

The court’s ruling, delivered on Thursday, follows an earlier suit filed by Okolie, through her lawyer, Samuel Ihensekhien, seeking justice for her prolonged and unlawful detention.

The case dates back to June 17, 2021, when Okolie was arrested by IRT officers and held for a staggering 248 days without trial or legal justification.

The Nigerian government, in its defence, acknowledged Okolie’s detention but failed to provide a lawful basis for her confinement, which lasted well beyond the 90 days stipulated under Nigerian law and international human rights standards.

Despite this, the Nigerian authorities repeatedly delayed court proceedings, even refusing to file necessary court processes, which prompted the ECOWAS Court to previously award a N1 million compensation against the government in 2022 for its lack of cooperation.

In its ruling, the ECOWAS Court condemned the unlawful detention, citing the breach of Okolie’s fundamental human rights, including her right to personal liberty and fair treatment under the law.

The court also highlighted the Nigerian government’s failure to adhere to judicial processes, describing the delays in the case as indicative of a broader disregard for human rights protections.

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The court’s N30 million reparation award is seen as a landmark victory for Okolie, who was initially arrested by IRT officers under unclear circumstances and held incommunicado as a maid. She was finally released on March 23, 2022, after enduring nearly nine months in detention.

Human rights lawyer Ihensekhien, who represented Okolie in the case, expressed relief and gratitude for the judgment.

“This ruling is a vindication of Glory Okolie’s rights and a strong message to the Nigerian government that such gross abuses of power will no longer go unchecked,” Ihensekhien said.

Okolie, supported by the One Love Foundation, a non-governmental organization advocating for justice and good governance, had initially sought N100 billion in damages for the violation of her rights.

While the court’s award fell short of the requested amount, it marks a significant step in securing justice for victims of police brutality and unlawful detention in Nigeria.

Following the judgement, the ECOWAS Court urged the Nigerian government to take immediate steps to ensure such human rights violations do not recur.