Kogi Election: ECOWAS Court Sets Judgment Date for Amb Ocheni’s Case Against FG

• The ECOWAS Court of Justice will announce its judgment on October 31 regarding the case involving human rights violations in Nigeria
• Nigerian citizens accused the government of infringing upon their rights, while the government defended its actions during the 2023 gubernatorial elections

The ECOWAS Court of Justice will issue its judgment on October 31 in the case between Ambassador Ali Ocheni and four others and the Federal Republic of Nigeria concerning the alleged violation of the applicants’ human rights.

The applicants, Ambassador Ali Ocheni, Hajiya (Chief) Rekiya M. Abaji, Dr. Sebastine Abuh, Suleimane Akpa, and Dr. Ojoachele Akor Felix, all Nigerian citizens, invoked various international and regional human rights instruments, accusing the Nigerian government of violating their rights to freedom of movement, expression, and association.

They argued that the government failed to protect the citizens of Kogi State who were living in a state of insecurity, expressing fear and intimidation ahead of the gubernatorial elections in November 2023.

The respondent state denied the allegations, contending that election periods are globally characterized by unrest. It claimed that it had taken security measures to protect citizens and requested the court to dismiss the applicants’ application.

During the hearing on October 27, 2023, the court granted the respondent’s request for an extension of time to file its defense and the applicants’ request to withdraw their application for default judgment.

The court also heard the parties on the applicants’ application for interim measures and accelerated procedure and decided to give its ruling jointly with the judgment, which will be delivered on October 31, 2023.

The panel of judges on the bench includes Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (presiding), Justice Dupe Atoki (Judge Rapporteur), and Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (member).