The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Lovina Adonor, a Nigerian priestess, who sought reparations from the Federal Government of Nigeria over the destruction of her shrine.
Adonor, in the case marked ECW/CCJ/APP/61/22, alleged that her shrine was attacked and vandalized by private individuals, forcing her to flee due to threats to her life. She accused the government of failing to protect her and properly investigate the destruction of her religious materials, arguing that this violated her fundamental human rights under international human rights laws, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
However, the ECOWAS Court, led by Justice Sengu Koroma, ruled against her request for reparations or an injunction against the government. The court found that Adonor failed to establish a direct connection between the alleged human rights violations and the Nigerian government or its agencies. It determined that authorities had conducted adequate investigations and that the perpetrators were private individuals who had been detained and later released following due process.
The court further dismissed her claims under Articles 3, 6, 12, 14, and 21 of the ACHPR, citing insufficient evidence to support her case. It also noted that Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution, which she referenced in her argument, was beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
Despite ruling against her, the court acknowledged that it had the jurisdiction to hear the case since it involved allegations of human rights violations within an ECOWAS member state. Additionally, it affirmed that Adonor had met the procedural requirements and sufficiently demonstrated her status as a victim.
The three-member panel, which included Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding), Sengu Koroma (rapporteur), and Edward Asante (member), ordered that both parties bear their own legal costs.
(NAN)
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