The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached ECOWAS Court of Justice, seeking orders of injunction to stop Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike from repressing the innocent residents of the state.
According to SERAP, which is seeking compensation for the victims of the governor, whose rights were recently violated in the state during lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19, said, “We’ve launched legal action against Governor Wike of Rivers State at the ECOWAS Court of Justice for using COVID-19 as pretext to run roughshod over the human rights of Nigerians”
In a suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/20/20 filed on Friday May 22, 2020, the organisation said, “This suit is primarily against Governor Wike & Rivers state. But Nigeria Governor being signatory to ECOWAS treaties, is sued alongside Rivers state. Ultimately, the FG cannot escape its responsibility to ensure human rights in Nigeria”.
The organisation said that its action is entirely consistent with article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which provides that a party may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.
However, there is a mixed feelings in the state regarding the suit.
Sophia Amaka said, “You can’t be in Abuja and be giving us a falsehood news about our Governor Wike infringing on our right. Point of correction to you. Our Governor Wike is not infringing on our right here in Rivers State. Everybody is going about doing their normal business”.
Tambari Joel, however disagreeing with Amaka said the SERAP has taken the right step.
