The ECOWAS Court on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by a Nigerian woman, Lovina Adonor, seeking to compel the Federal Government to pay her reparation for the destruction of her shrine.
NAN reports that Adonor, a self-proclaimed priestess, had filed the suit, marked ECW/CCJ/APP/61/22, seeking the enforcement of her fundamental human rights against Nigeria.
In her submission, Adonor claimed that her shrine was attacked and vandalised by private individuals, forcing her to flee the community due to threats to her life.
She also alleged that the Nigerian government failed to provide adequate protection, investigate her complaints, or address the destruction of her religious materials and property.
According to the applicant, the incident amounted to a violation of her right to propagate her religion, her right to security, and her right to own property without discrimination.
She argued that these rights were enshrined in ECOWAS basic texts and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
However, delivering judgment, Justice Sengu Koroma, the Judge Rapporteur, declined to grant the applicant’s prayer for reparations or an order for a perpetual injunction against the respondent.
The court held that Adonor failed to establish a direct connection between the alleged violation of her rights and the Nigerian government or its agents.
It further ruled that Nigeria had adequately investigated the complaints and that the individuals responsible for the alleged acts were private citizens who had been detained and later released after due process.
“Additionally, the applicant’s claims under Articles 3, 6, 12, 14, and 21 of the ACHPR are dismissed for lack of sufficient facts and evidence to warrant the relief sought thereunder.
“Furthermore, national laws, such as Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution, are outside the court’s competence,” the court stated.
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