ECOWAS court orders FG to pay soldier N5m compenstion

Private Alimu Akeem, a former security detail to former Chief of Army Staff, General Victor Malu, had on February 7, 2009 through his counsel Femi Falana (SAN) sued the federal government on the claims that he was illegally detained by the Nigeria Army since November 13, 2006 following the purported disappearance of a rifle in […]

Private Alimu Akeem, a former security detail to former Chief of Army Staff, General Victor Malu, had on February 7, 2009 through his counsel Femi Falana (SAN) sued the federal government on the claims that he was illegally detained by the Nigeria Army since November 13, 2006 following the purported disappearance of a rifle in General Malu’s house in Gboko, Benue State.
He had further sought a declaration that his physical torture in the custody of the 72 Para Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Makurdi, Benue State by agents of the federal government contravenes section 34 and 35 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right.
Delivering judgement last week, a three member panel of Judges led by Justice Hansine Donli adjudged that Alimu was not tried in reasonable time, in violation of Article 7 (1) (d) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Alimu was held in detention from the date of his arrest in November, 2006 to his eventual court martial on May 15, 2009 on two counts bordering on theft of Army property and abandoning his duty post.
While the panel held that Alimu did not prove the allegation of torture, it however ordered the federal government to adhere to Article 12 of the Convention against Torture an other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment. It advised the federal government to investigate his allegation of torture.
The sub-regional court had on July 1, 2011 refused an application for joinder by the Nigerian Army but admitted federal government’s statemen of defence brought by Musa Yakubu (SAN) which contended that Alimu was earlier tried at the 82 Division, Enugu and his sentence was awaiting confirmation in line with section 148 of the Armed Forces Act.