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ECOWAS court dismisses suit seeking N50m compensation for Abuja-Kaduna train victims
The ECOWAS Court of Justice on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, which sought N50 million in compensation from the Federal Government for each victim of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
In March 2022, terrorists bombed an Abuja-Kaduna railway near Rigasa, Kaduna, attacking over 970 passengers onboard. The incident led to fatalities, injuries, and abductions.
However, SERAP approached the court to hold the FG accountable for the incident, alleging human rights violations.
In an email to our correspondent on Thursday, the court stated that SERAP’s claims were inadmissible, as they did not satisfy the “victim status” requirement necessary for litigation under Article 10(d) of the Protocol.
The email read, “The ECOWAS Court of Justice has, on 13 November 2024, ruled on the case brought by the SERAP against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The case, which sought to hold Nigeria accountable for alleged human rights violations related to a terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train route in March 2022, was declared inadmissible due to the lack of victim status required for public interest litigation.
“SERAP filed the case following the terrorist attack on March 28, 2022, where armed assailants bombed a train carrying over 970 passengers along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line near Rigasa, Kaduna.
“The attack led to numerous fatalities, injuries, and abductions, with more than 150 individuals still unaccounted for. SERAP argued that Nigeria’s alleged lack of adequate preventive measures violated the rights of passengers to life, security, and dignity, and requested compensation of 50 million Naira for each passenger and victim’s family.
“In the judgment delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court recognized its jurisdiction to hear the case as it involved potential human rights violations within a member state, in accordance with Article 9(4) of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol. However, the Court found the claim inadmissible on grounds that it failed to meet the victim status requirement essential for litigation under Article 10(d) of the same Protocol.
“In its findings, the Court said that SERAP claimed to be acting in the public interest, citing previous incidents of terrorism in the region, including attacks on educational institutions and transportation services. However, the Court determined that the case did not meet the criteria for a public interest action, or actio popularis, which requires that the alleged violations affect a large, indeterminate segment of the public or the general public itself.
“The victims of the March 28 attack were identifiable individuals rather than an indeterminate public group, making the claim unsuitable as a public interest litigation.
“The reliefs sought, including specific monetary compensation, were directed at the identifiable victims of the attack rather than the public at large.”
Eight governorship candidates of various political parties have declared support for the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the state gubernatorial election.
Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election, stated this on Thursday in Akure during an interactive event organised by the Special Engagement Committee of the APC National Campaign Council.
Aiyedatiwa declared that the eight governorship candidates who declared support for him showed that the people of the state were with the APC.
The Governor appealed to his supporters not to relax until he is victorious in Saturday’s governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa said that the remaining hours before the election should be used to intensify the mobilisation drive towards delivering victory for the party.
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He said, “We have only one agenda ahead of us; that is to deliver the victory on Saturday because we have campaigned across the state and listened to the plights of the people.
“Let us go back to our communities and continue the work; we must not be complacent; there are still works to be done and we must be ready to finish the work for ultimate victory.
“Just this morning, eight governorship candidates have declared support for us ahead of the election and that should tell us that the people are with us.”
The Governor added that when elected, he would deliver on his promises to the people towards the development of the state.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday failed to beat Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier as two West African neighbours settled for a 1-1 draw in Abidjan
With the results, Nigeria officially qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, securing a top-two finish in Group D,
Benin opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Mohamed Tijani capitalized on a corner delivery from Junior Olaïtan, heading the ball into the center of the net.
The Super Eagles found themselves trailing despite creating opportunities, with Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon both testing Benin’s defence.
In the second half, Nigeria intensified their attack and were rewarded in the 81st minute when Osimhen met Simon’s cross with a precise header to level the score.
Benin fought hard to reclaim the lead, but Nigeria’s defence held firm, preserving the draw.
Nigeria’s qualification for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON marks a relief for fans and sets the stage for their preparations for the tournament. Benin, meanwhile, remains in contention but will need positive results in their final game to have any chance of progressing.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has suspended, with immediate effect, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Agency, Shehu Hadi Ahmad, indefinitely.
This was made known in a statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Public Communication and Social Media, Olalere Olayinka, on Thursday.
Circumstances leading to or surrounding the suspension of the secretary were, however, undisclosed as of the time of filing this report.
According to the statement, the suspended Executive Secretary has been consequently directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services in the FCDA.
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