A group of human rights defenders in Nigeria has lauded the court judgment that ordered the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the police and other law enforcement agents to pay N16 million as damages to six women who were harassed and abused during raids in April 2019.

Some police personnel and other law enforcement agents were said to have invaded clubs, hotels, and supermarkets in Abuja to round up women under the guise of arresting sex workers.

Development Diaries learnt that the women suffered sexual violations, physical and mental torture while in detention between 26 and 29 April, 2019.

The suits were filed through the Sterling Law Centre, with support from Lawyers Alert and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

In her judgment, Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, held that the dehumanising treatment and the barring of the applicants from accessing legal representation was a violation of their rights as guaranteed in the constitution.

According to a statement issued by the group, including National Human Rights Commission, Enough is Enough, Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria Constitution and Democracy, Amnesty International Nigeria, Nigeria Sex Workers’ Association, Nigerian Feminist Forum, the judge awarded over two million naira in damages against the AEPB, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Inspector General of Police and Inspector Thomas Nzemekwe.

Justice Maha also issued an injunction restraining the police, NSCDC and other listed respondents from arresting women in such circumstances and in a manner that discriminates on the basis of gender, according to the statement.

‘We urge the Nigerian authorities to prioritise the implementation of the decisions 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’, the statement read.

Source : EIE

Photo source: EIE