TONY OKAFOR,AWKA
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Government for refusing to obey court judgments awarding ₦70 million in compensation to Miss Glory Okolie, a young woman who suffered unlawful arrest and inhumane detention at the hands of police operatives.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC described the continued defiance as a brazen violation of judicial authority and a grave threat to the rule of law.
The group noted that two separate and binding judgments—one delivered by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on June 23, 2022, and another by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on November 21, 2024—found the Nigerian authorities guilty of violating Miss Okolie’s fundamental rights and ordered them to pay a combined ₦70 million in compensation.
Miss Okolie, then a student, was arrested on June 13, 2021, in Owerri, Imo State, by officers of the Police Intelligence Response Team. She was detained for several months without trial, denied legal representation, and subjected to degrading treatment.
During her unlawful detention, she was reportedly forced to serve as a maid to officers while her family desperately searched for her, unaware of her whereabouts.
The FCT High Court awarded ₦60 million in punitive and general damages, while the ECOWAS Court found that her prolonged detention without charge violated the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ordered an additional ₦10 million in compensation.
Despite these judgments, the Nigerian authorities have failed to comply. Repeated letters from Okolie’s legal representatives to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation have gone unanswered.
RULAAC warned that this open disregard for court orders undermines public confidence in the justice system and emboldens rights violators.
The organisation is demanding immediate payment of the ₦70 million, a formal public apology to Miss Okolie, disciplinary action against the officers responsible for her ordeal, and far-reaching reforms within the police to prevent similar abuses.
RULAAC also urged local and international human rights organisations, development partners, and diplomatic missions to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its obligations under the law.
“Court judgments are not advisory opinions—they are binding obligations. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice defied is justice destroyed,” the statement concluded.
