- DJ Switch has ignited social media with a scorching update on the ECOWAS court’s latest decision in the ongoing #EndSars protest saga.
- With fearless audacity, she proclaimed the recent judgement as an earth-shattering victory, a rallying cry for every Nigerian who has been screaming for justice
Obianuju Catherine Udeh, famously known as DJ Switch, Nigerian DJ and fierce activist, has announced that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) community court of justice has handed down a judgment finding the federal government guilty of human rights abuses during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020.
The court delivered a damning verdict on Wednesday, condemning the Nigerian government’s egregious actions, especially its barbaric and excessive use of force at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, as a blatant violation of numerous international human rights standards, including articles 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court did not hold back, mandating the Nigerian government to cough up N2 million in compensation to each victim, a list that proudly includes DJ Switch.
The suit, a formidable charge against oppression, was powerfully filed by DJ Switch, Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka.
Reacting to the judgment via her X platform on Thursday, DJ Switch, expressed her overwhelming joy, stated that the date of the court’s verdict was “one of the best days of my life since the horrific event” .
She wrote:
“#ENDSARS: After a three year battle against the Nigerian government at the ECOWAS court, justice was served yesterday! We won!
“Just like many of you, I have little to no faith in any branch of service in Nigeria but, the ECOWAS court is the highest court on the continent and while many find humor and make jokes about its chairman being the illegal president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, we forged on, hoping still, and trusting that the facts and evidence we had and presented to the court would be irrefutable.
“For those who say, “after how many years?” I want you to understand that most court cases take a long time especially one where the respondent (in this case, the Nigerian government) tries to frustrate you! Either not showing up on set court dates or asking for adjournments for lack of preparation and all other silly excuses under the sun. Still, we had to exercise patience and be steadfast in our pursuit.
“I cannot express the emotional trauma we’ve all been through and life changes we’ve had to make but thankfully, with professional help, we’ve been able to work through it and this verdict certainly made a positive impact.
“I have never wavered once in my shared experience and I am grateful to my lawyers for presenting our experiences and evidence with tact and also grateful to the esteemed judges for doing their due diligence.
“Sitting in court yesterday and hearing the verdict from the judges indicting the Nigerian government of the crime they committed on the 20th of October, 2020 was one of the best days of my life since that horrific day and also legally vindicates us all. If no room is left for corruption to fester, the people are served.
“Barring any obstruction from the government to follow the instructions of the court, I can finally move on to other things, passion wise which I hope to share with you all.
“Naysayers can scream all they want! It is now legally documented in history who the criminals actually were.”
SEE HER TWEET BELOW
#ENDSARS: After a three year battle against the Nigerian government at the ECOWAS court, justice was served yesterday! We won!
Just like many of you, I have little to no faith in any branch of service in Nigeria but, the ECOWAS court is the highest court on the continent and…
— Switch (@dj_switchaholic) July 11, 2024
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