The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the 1996 assassination of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The case, filed by three members of the Abiola family—Khalifa Abiola, Moriam Abiola, and Hadi Abiola—alleged that the Nigerian government violated Kudirat’s fundamental human rights by failing to hold her killers accountable.
They argued that despite a Commission of Inquiry identifying a key suspect, Sergeant Barnabas Jebila, justice was never served.
However, in its ruling on Friday, the ECOWAS Court, led by Judge Rapporteur Justice Edward Amoako Asante, declared the case inadmissible, stating that the applicants lacked the legal capacity to sue.
The court noted that they failed to establish a direct relationship with Kudirat or provide legal authorization to act on behalf of her estate.
While the court rejected Nigeria’s objection to its jurisdiction—affirming its authority to hear human rights violation cases—it clarified that it does not serve as an appellate body for national court decisions.
“The applicants, suing on behalf of themselves and the estate of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, have not demonstrated legal capacity to do so,” the court ruled, effectively striking out the case.
The ruling was delivered by a panel of judges, including Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (Presiding), Hon. Justice Gberi-bè Ouattara, and Hon. Justice Edward Amoako Asante.
