Benin to Pay Sunday Igboho 20M CFA Francs

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja has mandated Benin to compensate Chief Sunday Adeyemo (also known as Sunday Igboho) with a sum of 20 million CFA francs as restitution for his arbitrary incarceration and infringement upon his fundamental human rights.

The court in Abuja yesterday ruled that the country must make payment within a period of three months for Igboho’s lawsuit.

The unanimous ruling of Justices Gberi-Bé Ouattara, Sengu M. Koroma, and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro GONÇALVES instructed the government of Benin Republic to furnish the court with evidence of payment within the designated period.

The case titled ‘ECW/CCJ/APP/15/22 Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) Vs Republic of Benin’ is being referred to.

It is highly probable that the Nigerian government issued a directive for his arrest and subsequent detention.

On February 10, 2022, he filed a lawsuit against Benin at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja. On the morning of July 1, 2021, DSS agents fired upon Igboho’s residence in Soka, Ibadan. The operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the apprehension of 12 of his associates and supporters, who are now awaiting trial at the security agency headquarters in Abuja.

Tosin Ojaomo, Aderemilekun Omojola, and Dr. Janet Fashakin acted as legal representatives for the embattled agitator, while Irene Aclombessi served as the representative for Benin.

Igboho has made a request for a speedy detention hearing in accordance with Article 59 of the Rules of Procedure in the case.

In addition, he asked for his prompt and unconditional release, as well as the issuance of a Nigerian passport, while awaiting the resolution of the legal proceedings and the assessment of damages. He also demanded any other orders that the court deems appropriate.