Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the ECOWAS community Court of Justice over alleged violations of his fundamental rights during successive military administrations in the 1980s and 1990s.
Falana, in the suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/30/2026 and filed in Abuja, is seeking declarations that his arrests, detentions, alleged abduction and restrictions on his movement were unlawful.
The senior lawyer demanded $10 million in damages for alleged violations of his rights to personal liberty, dignity, fair hearing, property and freedom of movement.
He is praying the ECOWAS court to consider the alleged violations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and applicable ECOWAS legal instruments.
According to the suit, his confrontation with the authorities began during his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, year in Oyo State between 1982 and 1983.
He represented University of Ibadan students charged with conspiracy and attempted murder following a dispute involving the university’s vice-chancellor.
He stated that the NYSC authorities withheld his discharge certificate because he represented the students without official permission.
“Even though the applicant completed the service, the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps seized his discharge certificate for defending the students without official permission,” the application stated.
Falana sues FG over ‘rights violation’ during military era, demands $10m