In a landmark decision, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), seated in Abuja, has mandated the Republic of Benin to pay Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, a sum of 20 million CFA as compensation for unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental human rights.
Delivering a unanimous judgment on Tuesday, Justices Gberi-Bé Ouattara, Sengu M. Koroma, and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro GONÇALVES emphasized the imperative for the Benin government to ensure prompt payment of the compensation to Adeyemo within three months, starting from the date of the judgment.
In the matter marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/15/22 Chief Sunday Adeyemo vs. Republic of Benin, the court not only ordered the payment of 20 million CFA but also instructed the Francophone country to comply with the directive and furnish the court with evidence of the payment within the stipulated timeframe.
Legal representation for Adeyemo included Tosin Ojaomo, Aderemilekun Omojola Esq., Dr. Janet Fashakin Esq., and Irene Aclombessi, who represented the Republic of Benin.
The court’s decision stemmed from an application brought by Adeyemo challenging his arrest and detention in Benin on July 21, 2021. Filed on February 10, 2022, the application sought an expedited procedure for the imprisonment and release of Chief Adeyemo, his immediate and unconditional release, and any other orders deemed fit by the court.
Sunday Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on July 20, 2021, alongside his wife, Ropo, at the request of the Nigerian government. This followed his escape from Nigeria after a joint operation by the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services raided his residence in Ibadan on July 1, 2021. The arrest in Benin Republic was part of the Nigerian government’s attempt to repatriate him.
The Yoruba nation agitator was recently released from protective custody in Cotonou, having fulfilled the conditions attached to his bail after more than a year since his arraignment. The ECOWAS Court’s ruling stands as a significant victory for human rights, emphasizing accountability for unlawful detention and violations of fundamental freedoms.