By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has awarded between two million to four million naira in damages against the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Inspector General of Police with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in favour of six applicants.
The court through Justice Evelyn Maha had ruled in favour of six women who were harrased and abused during raids by the AEPB, police and other law enforcement agents in April 2019.
Member Governing Council of National Human Rights Commission and Executive Director, Partners West Africa-Nigeria, Kemi Okenyodo in conjunction with Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, told Journalists in Abuja that the judgement was significant as it asserts the human rights of every person against gender-based violence.
She said, “the court awarded between two million to one million in damages against The Abuja Environmental Protection Board, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Inspector General of Police and Inspector Thomas Nzemekwe in favour of the six applicants.
“The judgement is significant as it asserts the human rights of every person against gender-based violence, especially by state actors, which is a persisting, well documented fact.
“It’s regarding the discriminatory arrest of people based on their gender, particularly the arrest of women in the streets and other places, becomes a reference point for protecting women’s rights now and in the future”
The AUTHORITY recall that on April 26, 2019, a mob of over 100 male state actors invaded clubs, hotels, supermarkets and other centres of business in Abuja to round up women under the guise of arresting sex workers.
Okenyodo commended the court for its bold judgement that reassures women that their human rights matter.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to prioritise the implementation of the decision and ensure the enforcement of laws to preserve women’s dignity and bodily integrity. These cases are not only a victory for women but for all Nigerians” she said.
