The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja has today, November 21, 2024, awarded the sum of Thirty million Naira to Glory Okolie, a young Nigerian woman who was unlawfully detained and allegedly enslaved by officers of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in 2021 in Imo State.
The ECOWAS Court decision follows a long-standing legal battle and highlights the abuse of power within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.
Glory Okolie, then 22 years old, was arrested on June 17, 2021, by Imo State Police IRT officers who reportedly held her captive as a maid for several weeks. She was detained in violation of her fundamental human rights and spent 248 days in captivity before her release on March 23, 2022. During her prolonged detention, Gloria was denied access to her family and legal counsel, prompting her legal team, led by human rights lawyer Samuel Ihensekhien, to take the matter to the ECOWAS Court.
Samuel Ihensekhien, who represented Gloria throughout the case, noted that the Nigerian government admitted to the illegal detention but attempted to justify the actions of the police. The federal government’s repeated delays in filing court processes and the failure to adequately respond to the case were also highlighted by the court. In fact, in 2022, the ECOWAS Court imposed a one-million-naira fine on the Nigerian government for its failure to cooperate during proceedings.
Gloria’s legal team, along with the One Love Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting justice and good governance, had initially sought a staggering N100 billion in damages from the Nigerian government. While the court did not grant the full amount, the N30 million awarded today is seen as a significant step towards justice and accountability.
The court’s ruling also serves as a landmark decision, sending a strong message about the importance of respecting human rights and adhering to the rule of law. The Nigerian government now faces growing international scrutiny over the conduct of its security forces and the continued abuse of power.
The case, which has drawn considerable attention from human rights organizations both within and outside Nigeria, underscores the ongoing struggle for justice and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms in the country’s security agencies.
For more updates on this case, visit fasnewsng.com.
By Fikunmi Sokoya
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