The ECOWAS Court of Justice on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Lovina Adonor, a self-proclaimed Nigerian priestess, seeking reparations from the Federal Government for the alleged destruction of her shrine.
Adonor had approached the regional court, citing violations of her fundamental human rights, in a suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/61/22. She claimed her shrine was attacked and vandalised by private individuals, forcing her to flee her community amid threats to her life.
In her submissions, Adonor alleged that the Nigerian government failed to protect her, investigate her complaints, or address the destruction of her religious materials and property. She argued that the incident infringed on her rights to propagate her religion, security, and property ownership, as guaranteed under ECOWAS statutes and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
Delivering the judgment, Justice Sengu Koroma, the Judge Rapporteur, dismissed Adonor’s claims, stating that she failed to establish a direct link between the alleged violations and the Nigerian government or its agents.
The court ruled that the Nigerian authorities had adequately investigated the complaints and noted that the individuals responsible for the alleged acts were private citizens who had been detained and released following due process.
“Additionally, the Applicant’s claims under Article 3, 6, 12, 14, and 21 of the ACHPR are dismissed for lack of facts sufficient and evidence to warrant relief sought thereunder,” the court said.
The court further stated that Adonor’s reliance on provisions of Nigeria’s national laws, such as Section 43 of the Constitution, fell outside the court’s competence.
Despite dismissing the claims, the ECOWAS Court affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case as it involved alleged human rights violations within an ECOWAS member state. It also declared the application admissible, noting that Adonor had sufficiently demonstrated her victim status and met the procedural requirements.
The three-member panel, comprising Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding), Sengu Koroma (rapporteur), and Edward Asante, ruled that both parties would bear their own legal costs.
