The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sitting in Abuja, has ordered the government of the Republic of Benin to pay Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the sum of 20 million CFA within three months for illegally detaining him and violating his fundamental human rights.
The court declared that the government of the Republic of Benin must make sure that the money is paid to Adeyemo within three months, starting from the day the judgment to that effect is delivered.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justices Gberi-Bé Ouattara, Sengu M. Koroma, and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro GONÇALVES, in matter marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/15/22 Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) vs. Republic of Benin, the court also ordered the country to comply with its order to pay 20 million CFA to Adeyemo within three months and report back to the court with the evidence of payment.
Counsel for the applicant include Tosin Ojaomo, Aderemilekun Omojola Esq., Dr. Janet Fashakin Esq., and Irene Aclombessi, who represented the country.
The judgment followed the application brought before the court by Adeyemo against the defendant (Benin Republic), to challenge his arrest and detention in the country on July 21, 2021, which was filed before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, on February 10, 2022.
It read in part: “Orders sought wherefore Chief Adeyemo prays for the following from this Honourable Court: 1 “Pursuant to Article 59 of Rules of Procedure, an expedited procedure and hearing regarding the imprisonment and release of Chief Adeyemo;
“…2)An Order for the immediate and unconditional release of Chief Adeyemo, along with his Nigerian passport, pending litigation and determination of damages, and (3) Such orders as this honourable court may deem fit.”
