In a landmark ruling, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sitting in Abuja, has directed the Government of the Republic of Benin to compensate Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, with a sum of 20 million CFA.
The court handed down this judgment on Tuesday, citing unlawful detention and violation of fundamental human rights.
Sunday Igboho, along with his wife, Ropo, was apprehended in July 2021 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, at the behest of the Nigerian government.
The decision came following an application lodged by Adeyemo challenging his arrest and detention in the French-speaking country, submitted to the ECOWAS Court in Abuja on February 10, 2022.
Justices Gberi-Bé Ouattara, Sengu M. Koroma, and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Goncalves, delivering a unanimous verdict in the case marked ECW/CCJ/APP/15/22 Chief Sunday Adeyemo vs Republic of Benin, also mandated Benin to fulfill the payment within three months and report back to the court with evidence of compliance.
The legal representation for Adeyemo included Tosin Ojaomo, Aderemilekun Omojola, Dr Janet Fashakin, and Irene Aclombessi, representing the Republic of Benin.
A court document made availbale to PLATFORM TIMES stated that Adeyemo’s requests, seeking an expedited procedure and hearing per Article 59 of the Rules of Procedure.
He also sought an immediate and unconditional release, along with his Nigerian passport, pending litigation and determination of damages.
The court granted these orders, emphasizing the importance of justice in the case.
Adeyemo, who had planned a “Yoruba nation rally” in Lagos, faced a raid on his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, by a combined team of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services on July 1, 2021, just two days before the scheduled event.
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