ECOWAS Court Dismisses Kudirat Abiola Murder Suit, Cites Lack of Standing

ECOWAS Court Rejects Abiola Family’s Lawsuit Against FG Over Kudirat Abiola’s 1996 Assassination, Ruling That Applicants Lack Legal Standing to Sue on Her Behalf

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice on Friday dismissed a lawsuit against the Nigerian Federal Government concerning the 1996 assassination of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola. The court ruled that the applicants, Khalifa Abiola, Moriam Abiola, and Hadi Abiola, failed to provide adequate evidence of their legal standing to represent the deceased’s estate.

The applicants alleged that the Nigerian government failed to prosecute those responsible for Kudirat Abiola’s murder, including Sergeant Barnabas Jebila, as identified by a Commission of Inquiry, thereby violating her human rights. They argued that her assassination was directly linked to her campaign for the release of her husband, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

While the court acknowledged its jurisdiction to hear human rights violation cases against member states, it found the applicants did not establish a direct relationship with the deceased or provide legal instruments authorizing them to sue on behalf of her estate.

The court also dismissed objections from the Nigerian government challenging its competence and the admissibility of the case. It clarified that its role is to assess compliance with international human rights standards, not to act as an appellate court for national rulings.

Ultimately, the court determined the applicants lacked the necessary legal capacity to pursue the case, resulting in its dismissal.

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