ECOWAS Court Rejects Dasuki’s Lawsuit Against Nigerian Government

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has declared that it lacks jurisdiction in a case brought by former National Security Adviser,  Retired Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

The Applicant was requesting the Court to compel the Federal Republic of Nigeria to comply with and implement the Court’s judgment that was delivered on October 4, 2016, identified as Judgment No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/23/16.

In the judgment delivered by the Judge Rapporteur, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, the Court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application and dismissed the same without cost.

The Applicant alleged that he obtained a judgment from the Court on October 4, 2016, declaring his arrest and detention unlawful and a violation of his rights under the ACHPR and ICCPR.

He said that the Court ordered the release of his seized properties and payment of N15,000,000 in damages.

He claimed that the Respondent’s failure to comply with the judgment of this Court has led him to seek the enforcement of the same, before this honourable Court.

The Respondent denied the allegations and asserted that the Applicant’s properties are involved in ongoing criminal proceedings in Nigeria, which the Applicant did not mention.

The Respondent argued it has fulfilled its obligations and that the Court’s Chief Registrar has already issued a Writ of Execution, making the Applicant’s relief prayed for, unnecessary.

In its judgment, the Court noted that having thoroughly assessed the claims and constitutive texts of the Court, it lacks the competence to adjudicate the present claim.
Consequently, the Court dismissed the application.