By Emmanuel Nduka
In the aftermath of his incarceration and possible torture, the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja has ordered President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to pay Nigerian journalist, Agba Jalingo N30 million.
The sum as ordered, is compensation for the maltreatment and torture of Jalingo while in detention in Cross River State.
It would be recalled that the renowned was arrested and chained to a deep freezer for about 34 days without being charged to court.
The court noted that having studied the suit and facts provided by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) it found no answer as to why Jalingo was arrested and illegally detained, brutalized and dehumanized.
The court further said the action of security agencies was against human rights agreements, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“On the claims of compensation for ill-treatment and torture, SERAP has been able to establish the claims.
“We condemn the Nigerian government for these acts, and hereby award compensation of N30 million to Mr. Jalingo for violations of his human rights,” the judgment read.
In the judgement, the Buhari-led administration was ordered to comply within three months, and file a process to the effect.
