ECOWAS Court affirms justice for Salome Abuh, strikes out Kogi Government’s attempt to evade responsibility

By Haruna Salami

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has upheld its landmark judgement on the brutal murder of Mrs. Salome Abuh, in a politically motivated attack during the 2019 Kogi State governorship election holding the Federal Government of Nigeria liable for the failure to protect her.

Delivering judgement on Friday in Lagos in the matter of Simeon Babani Seidu Abu & 2 ORS v. The Federal Republic of Nigeria Application No: ECW/CCJ/APP/22/20; Judgement No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/29/22, the Presiding judge, Honorable Justice Edward Amoako dismissed a fresh application filed by the Kogi State Government seeking to set aside the original judgment delivered in July 2022.

The incident which was a post-election violence took place on 18th November 2019 barely 3 days after the Kogi Governorship election when Late Mrs. Abuh was burnt alive in the family house in Ochadamu, Ofu Local Government Area of the state, where the assailants razed down seven houses in the family compound.

 The political thugs poured petrol on the houses in the compound razed them down with Salome screaming for help till she was consumed in the inferno.

 Her killing, which shocked the nation and drew international outrage, was part of a wider pattern of post-election violence that affected multiple communities.

 Speaking after the Court pronouncement, the substantive counsel in the case, Daniel Makolo said he filed the original suit before the ECOWAS Court under case number ECW/CCJ/APP/22/20 to seek justice and accountability.

“After rigorous legal proceedings, the regional court ruled in our favor, declaring that the Nigerian government failed in its obligation to protect the life of a citizen, and awarded 10 million naira as compensation to Salome’s family.

 However, he observed that in a move widely seen as an attempt to avoid accountability, the Kogi State Government filed a counter-application on December 2, 2022, claiming it was embarrassed by the ruling and accusing his team of misleading the court.

 They argued that the judgment unfairly portrayed the state as complicit in political violence and sought to block its enforcement.

However, despite multiple invitations, the Kogi Government never appeared in court to defend its application, instead it has been using the case to stall the enforcement process.

 “Today, the ECOWAS Court struck out the Kogi Government’s application and declared the original judgment valid, binding, and enforceable.

 “This ruling not only restores faith in international justice mechanisms, but also sends a strong message against the culture of impunity that surrounds electoral violence in Nigeria. The court reiterated that the Federal Government had a duty to protect Salome Abuh, and its failure to do so amounted to a violation of her right to life.

 “While I welcome the judgment, I express disappointment that the compensation awarded was only 10 million naira—a sum that does not reflect the gravity of the crime, nor the effort and resources spent pursuing justice. I personally spent more than that amount gathering evidence and prosecuting the case. Still, justice has spoken, and that is what matters most.

“I now call on the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately begin the process of enforcing the ECOWAS Court’s decision. The long delay in implementing this judgment only deepens the pain of Salome’s family and undermines public confidence in the rule of law.

The events of November 2019—where over a dozen people were killed, and massive security deployments failed to prevent widespread violence—must not be forgotten.