The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice has ruled that the Nigerian government violated the rights of #EndSARS protesters during the October 2020 incident at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
In a landmark verdict delivered on Wednesday, Justice Koroma Mohamed Sengu, the Judge Rapporteur, criticized the government’s “disproportionate use of force” against unarmed protesters. The court found that live rounds were fired into the crowd, breaching several international human rights standards.
Key findings of the court include:
1. Violations of Articles 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
2. Credible evidence of disproportionate force and infringement on rights to liberty, security, assembly, free speech, and dignity
3. Confirmation that protesters suffered torture at the hands of the Nigerian government
The court has ordered the Nigerian government to:
1. Pay N2 million in compensation to each victim named in the suit
2. Conduct thorough investigations into the human rights abuses
3. Report back to the court within six months on compensation and inquiry progress
Bolaji Gabari, lead counsel for the applicants, hailed the ruling as “a significant victory for the #EndSARS movement.” Nelson Olanipekun, Executive Director at Gavel, called it “a powerful affirmation of justice.”
Meanwhile, DJ Switch (Obianuju Catherine Udeh), a key figure in documenting the events, described the judgement as “a glimmer of hope” for truth and justice in Nigeria.
The case, brought by a coalition of human rights activists and organizations, alleged severe violations during the October 20, 2020 protest. Amnesty International’s submitted Amicus Brief was also considered by the court.
This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse surrounding the #EndSARS protests and government accountability in Nigeria. The Nigerian government is now under international pressure to address the systemic issues identified in the judgment and take concrete steps towards justice and reform.
