The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has awarded N20 million to a Nigerian man named Moses Abiodun. He spent 16 years in prison without ever being tried in court. The court ruled that this was a serious violation of his human rights.

On Thursday, the ECOWAS court also ordered the Nigerian government to release Mr. Abiodun from detention immediately.

Mr. Abiodun had taken legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria. He said the government violated his rights to personal freedom, free movement, and a fair hearing in court.

He also said that keeping him in prison for so long without trial went against the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international agreements that Nigeria has agreed to follow.

The Nigerian government denied involvement of the SARS police unit and questioned if the court order used to keep Mr. Abiodun in prison was even real.

However, the court accepted a certified true copy of the court order submitted by Mr. Abiodun. The judges dismissed the government’s claim that the document was fake.

The ECOWAS court said it had the right to hear the case under Article 9(4) of its rules. It also agreed that Mr. Abiodun was a victim and said that his case could go ahead, even after so many years.

The court explained that in cases involving human rights, time limits don’t matter.

After looking at all the evidence, the court found Nigeria guilty of four major violations. These included denying Mr. Abiodun his freedom, his right to move around freely, his right to a fair and timely trial, and protection from cruel or inhuman treatment.

The court said keeping a person in jail for 16 years without trial is completely unjust, cruel, and a serious violation of international human rights laws.

In the end, the court agreed with Mr. Abiodun, rejected the government’s arguments, and ordered that he be paid N20 million as compensation.