The ECOWAS Court has ruled in favor of Sunday Ayodeji, who had his leg amputated after being shot by a police officer in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

The Court has awarded him N60 million in damages and has instructed the Nigerian government to conduct an internal investigation into the human rights violation.

The judgment, delivered on July 10, 2023, holds the Nigerian government responsible for the torture inflicted on the victim.

The case was handled pro-bono by the international human rights organization Avocats Sans Frontieres France (Lawyers without Borders), as part of the SAFE Project funded by the European Union and Agence française de Développement.

The court also ordered the immediate return of Ayodeji’s confiscated property, including a car and N900,000.

Avocats Sans Frontieres France commended the ECOWAS Court’s decision and called on the Nigerian government to adhere to its directives.

Ayodeji expressed his joy and relief at obtaining justice and hoped the judgment would serve as a deterrent against torture in Nigeria.