Seven chieftains of Ette in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State have dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the Court of Justice of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, alleging threat to their right to existence and self-determination.
In an application filed pursuant to Article II of the protocol and Article 33 of the Rules of the court, the plaintiffs alleged that members of their community had been exposed to high level degradation, physical and mental torture, cruel and inhuman treatment and punishment by the Federal Government.
They told the court that the Nigerian government had denied their community rights of equal access to the benefits of its security and law enforcement apparatus.
The plaintiffs, who sued on behalf of themselves and other members of the community, alleged that there had been “deliberate and continued failure of the defendant to provide law enforcement and security safeguards and protection of the law for members of the community in the face of strident invasions and attacks.”
No date has been fixed for hearing on the matter.
Those behind the suit are Raymond Oguche, Peter Idogbe, Isaac Ameh, Andrew Ogangwu, Michael Ali, Agada Emmanuel and Matthew Oguche.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria was cited as the sole defendant in the suit.
In a 38-paragraphed affidavit, the litigants told the court: “As a result of the aggressive encroachment into its territory in Ette, Kogi State government initiated legal action against Enugu State in 2005 and the Supreme Court in its judgment directed the defendant’s National Boundary Commission, NBC, to settle the dispute between the two states amicably.
“The plaintiff community had severally approached the Federal Government on the issue, including Justice Nasir Commission of Enquiry, Arthur Mbanefo Commission for the creation of states and local governments, but the defendant always treated it as a case of boundary adjustment, which it is not.”
