ECOWAS Court Orders Nigerian Police to Pay N30 Million to Gloria Okolie for Unlawful Detention and Enslavement.....FIJ

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The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) must pay N30 million in damages to Gloria Okolie, a young woman detained in 2021 under allegations of being a spy for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The court condemned her prolonged detention and inhumane treatment as violations of her fundamental rights.

Court Findings on Okolie’s Detention

Presiding over the case in Abuja, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves determined that Okolie's 248-day detention by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian police far exceeded the 60-day maximum permissible under Nigerian law for a capital offense. During this period, Okolie, then 21 years old, was forced into servitude, performing tasks such as washing clothes and cooking for officers.

The ruling emphasized that the police's actions were not only illegal but also violated international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Federal Government’s Role

According to Okolie's legal representative, Samuel Ihensekhien Jr., the federal government admitted during the trial that Okolie’s detention exceeded 90 days, contravening legal standards. The court also ordered the government to pay an additional N1 million in compensation for its lack of diligence in responding to court proceedings.

“This judgment brings the total compensation owed to Gloria Okolie to N90 million, factoring in a prior ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which in June 2022 awarded her N60 million for similar violations,” Ihensekhien Jr. stated.

Background to the Case

Gloria Okolie was arrested on June 17, 2021, and held at the IRT office in Owerri. Her detention sparked public outrage after reports revealed she was being used as a domestic servant while in custody. Police initially defended her detention, claiming she collaborated with a wanted ESN commander, Benjamin Uzoma Emojiri, also known as "Onye Army," who was implicated in attacks on security facilities in Imo State.

Following public backlash, Okolie sued the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for the abuse and mistreatment she endured while in custody.

Implications of the Judgment

The ECOWAS Court’s ruling is seen as a significant step toward holding Nigerian law enforcement accountable for rights violations. It also underscores the importance of adhering to due process and respecting the dignity of individuals, even when accused of serious crimes.

The judgment has sparked calls for broader reforms within the police force to prevent similar abuses in the future. Observers are watching closely to see whether the Nigerian government will comply with the court's orders and deliver justice to Okolie.

This landmark case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights, even in the most challenging circumstances.

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