Nigeria Taken to ECOWAS Court Over Alleged Killing of Adamawa Women Protesters by Soldiers, Families Seek Justice

Nigeria has been dragged to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the alleged killing of women protesters in Lamurde, Adamawa State, on 8 December 2025. The suit, filed by Cadrell Advocacy Centre on behalf of the deceased women and their families, claims that soldiers of the Nigerian Army opened live fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting a government-imposed curfew amid clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities. Reports indicate that at least nine women were killed instantly, while several others were injured. Amnesty International Nigeria confirmed and condemned the killings, though the Army denied responsibility, attributing the violence to a local militia. The legal filing requests that the ECOWAS Court declare Nigeria liable for human rights violations, conduct an independent investigation, prosecute those responsible, and award compensation totaling N10 billion to the victims and their families.

Nigerian Trade Minister, CAC, Police Accused of Complicity and Silence as Ghana Petitions River Park Estate Dispute to ECOWAS Court

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, along with corporate regulators and security authorities, has been accused of silence and inaction amid the escalating River Park Estate crisis, now formally petitioned to the ECOWAS Court by the Ghanaian government. The dispute centres on allegations by Jonah Capital Limited and Houses for Africa Limited that the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, unlawfully expropriated shares, removed directors extrajudicially and retroactively invalidated corporate filings dating back nearly two decades. Despite a formal petition submitted on December 8, 2025, accusing the CAC of abuse of power and actions detrimental to investor confidence, the Nigerian trade minister has remained publicly silent, raising concerns about regulatory capture and political shielding. The crisis has drawn diplomatic attention, with Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria confirming that Accra has escalated the matter to ECOWAS after failed bilateral engagements, warning that the conduct of Nigerian authorities risks undermining investor protection, judicial processes and Nigeria–Ghana relations.

Ghana Escalates River Park Estate Dispute To ECOWAS Court As High Commissioner Accuses Nigerian Authorities, CAC Of Harassment And Unlawful Actions Against Jonah Capital

Ghana has formally escalated the long-running River Park Estate dispute in Abuja to the ECOWAS Court, following allegations of harassment, document falsification and breach of agreements by Nigerian authorities against Ghanaian investment firm Jonah Capital. Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, confirmed that Accra submitted an official petition to ECOWAS after earlier diplomatic efforts failed, alleging that vested interests were attempting to unlawfully take over assets that do not belong to them. Jonah Capital’s CEO, Kojo Mensah, also accused Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of spreading false claims, altering corporate records, and unlawfully expropriating shares, actions which he said undermine court processes and threaten massive economic losses. The dispute has now assumed a regional dimension, raising concerns over investor protection, rule of law and bilateral relations between Ghana and Nigeria.

TIB Delta to Protest ‘Unlawful’ Prosecution of Activist Aghogho Amid AGF Authorization Dispute

The Take It Back Movement (TIB), Delta State chapter, plans a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court in Warri on December 15 over the alleged unlawful prosecution of activist Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho. The group says Delta State initiated federal charges without the Attorney-General of the Federation’s consent, despite conflicting positions presented before the ECOWAS Court. Aghogho is challenging the case as unconstitutional and seeking its dismissal along with ₦500 billion in compensation. TIB argues that the AGF’s filings expose inconsistencies, calling for judicial accountability as tensions rise ahead of the next court hearing.

Nnamdi Kanu Petitions Trump, AU, Others, Seeks Release From ‘Captivity’.

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the United States President Donald Trump, the African Union, and several foreign missions and international organizations, seeking urgent intervention for his release from what he described as unlawful captivity.

In the petition sent to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday dated August 22, 2025, and jointly addressed to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, European Union, Netherlands, Sweden, Amnesty International, Red Cross, African Union, ECOWAS Court, Kenya, South Africa, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Austria, Kanu said he had been condemned to unlawful detention and solitary confinement since June 2021.

“I, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a dual Nigerian-British citizen and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), write this petition as a captive of the Nigerian State, condemned to unlawful detention and solitary confinement in Nigeria since June 2021.

“The Nigerian Supreme Court’s perverse and unconstitutional ruling on December 15, 2023 (Appeal No. SC/CR/136/2022) reversed my lawful discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022, despite clear jurisdictional nullity and violations of my fundamental rights,” Kanu wrote.

He urged the international community to compel the Nigerian government to respect the law. “By this letter, I respectfully implore your urgent intervention to compel the Nigerian government to adhere to its own laws, respect stare decisis, and uphold the constitutional supremacy enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“The Supreme Court’s lawlessness, compounded by the Court of Appeal’s illegal stay of execution, undermines the rule of law, and I seek your assistance to restore justice,” he added.

Kanu recalled that the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him on October 13, 2022, ruling that his abduction from Kenya, where he entered as a UK citizen, was unlawful and violated the Extradition Act 2004 and his right to a fair trial.

He said the extraordinary rendition constituted a jurisdictional nullity that rendered the Federal High Court proceedings void.

ECOWAS Leaders Undermining Rule of Law, Falana Alleges
Senior Advocate Urges President Tinubu to Ensure Compliance with ECOWAS Court Rulings
Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of failing to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles in the region.

In a statement titled “End Disobedience of ECOWAS Courts,” Falana said ECOWAS leaders have repeatedly shown disregard for the rulings of the Community Court of Justice, undermining its authority and the region’s legal framework.

Falana disclosed that as of December 2024, a total of 154 judgements from the ECOWAS Court remained unenforced by member states. He noted that Nigeria tops the list with 44 outstanding judgements, followed by Togo (27) and Guinea (15). Other non-compliant countries include Mali (10), Sierra Leone (9), Niger (8), Côte d’Ivoire (8), Senegal (8), Ghana (6), Benin (5), Liberia (4), Burkina Faso (5), The Gambia (3), Cabo Verde (1), and Guinea-Bissau (1).

“With respect, the ECOWAS leaders have failed to uphold democratic norms and the rule of law,” Falana said. “Without any legal or political justification, they have treated the decisions of the ECOWAS Court with disdain.”

He emphasized that some of the same leaders — or their family members — who once defied the court have later turned to it for protection after leaving office. Notable examples include Charles Taylor (Liberia), Laurent Gbagbo (Côte d’Ivoire), Boni Yayi (Benin), Mamadou Tandja (Niger), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), and Mrs. Doe, widow of former Liberian president Samuel Doe.

Nigeria’s Responsibility
Falana, who previously served as President of the West African Bar Association, said Article 24 of the ECOWAS Court mandates each member state to designate a national authority responsible for enforcing court decisions. In 2014, Nigeria appointed its Attorney-General for this role.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to immediately begin implementing the court’s decisions.

“It is the height of embarrassment that Nigeria, under the current ECOWAS Chairmanship of President Tinubu, leads in the number of unenforced judgements,” Falana said. “To restore credibility and regional leadership, Nigeria must comply without further delay.”

Tinubu’s ECOWAS Legacy
President Tinubu, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, recently praised the bloc’s achievements during its 50th anniversary celebrations, citing progress in election monitoring, mediation, and institution-building, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

“ECOWAS has upheld democratic norms through election observation, mediation, and institutions such as the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice — cementing accountability, rule of law, and people-centred governance,” Tinubu said.

Falana’s remarks, however, suggest a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality, as he urged West African leaders to stop undermining the very institutions they claim to support.