The #EndSARS movement was a nationwide protest in Nigeria that began in October 2020, demanding an end to police brutality, extortion, and extrajudicial killings by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force. The protests, largely led by young Nigerians, called for:
1. Disbandment of SARS
2. Police reform
3. Accountability for human rights abuses
4. Improved governance and transparency
The movement gained widespread support, with demonstrations across Nigeria and globally. The government initially responded with force, leading to the infamous Lekki Toll Gate shooting, but eventually disbanded SARS and promised reforms. The #EndSARS movement marked a significant moment in Nigeria's struggle for human rights, accountability, and democratic governance.
The #EndSARS protests were met with excessive force by the Nigerian authorities, resulting in various human rights abuses, including:
- Extrajudicial killings
- Arbitrary arrests and detentions
- Torture and ill-treatment
- Use of live ammunition and lethal force against unarmed protesters
- Violent crackdowns on peaceful assemblies
- Restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly
These abuses were documented by local and international organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The #EndSARS movement highlighted the need for police reform and accountability in Nigeria, and the importance of protecting human rights and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
Three victims of the #EndSARS protest filed a suit before the ECOWAS court in October 2020 . The suit filed to the ECOWAS court by the three victims of the #EndSARS protest namely Obianuju Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka alleged that the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agents:
1. Violated their rights to life, liberty, and security of person
2. Subjected them to torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment
3. Restricted their freedom of assembly and association
4. Failed to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights abuses
The plaintiffs sought:
1. Declaration that the government's actions were unlawful
2. Compensation for damages and legal costs
3. Orders for the government to investigate and prosecute responsible officials
4. Measures to prevent future occurrences
The case involving the Federal Government's actions during the #EndSARS protest has been in the ECOWAS court since October 2020, which is almost four years ago . Other cases involving human rights abuses in Nigeria, such as the Twitter ban and the Niger Delta oil pollution, have also been brought before the ECOWAS court .
The ECOWAS court found the Federal Government of Nigeria guilty of human rights abuses and violating the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, by using disproportionate force during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020 . The court ordered the government to pay N2 million in compensation to each victim named in the suit .
The court also ordered the government to investigate and prosecute its agents responsible for the violations and to report to the court within six months on the measures taken to implement this judgment.
The three victims involved in the ECOWAS court case will receive a compensation of N2 million each from the FG Government
- Obianuju Udeh: She live-streamed the shooting of protesters by soldiers, which led to deaths and injuries. After receiving threatening phone calls, she went into hiding and later sought asylum.
- Perpetual Kamsi: She was responsible for the welfare of the protesters. She described how soldiers started shooting after a power cut, which led to her hospitalization due to a police tear gas attack.
- Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka: She narrated how she narrowly escaped being shot. She claimed that she and her colleagues took over the care of the victims and that she faced threats and surveillance, which she believed were from the respondent's agents.