(DDM) – A Nigerian woman and her son have instituted a legal action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the case was filed on September 10, 2025, following allegations of extortion, unlawful property seizure, and defamation by officers of the Delta State Police Command.
The applicants, identified as Mrs. Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene and her son, Highness Onoruikpe, insist that police operatives unlawfully impounded their vehicles and demanded bribes for their release.
Court documents reveal that the family is also challenging a press statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, which they described as false, malicious, and injurious to their reputation.
According to the applicants, the publication not only damaged their personal image but also subjected them to public ridicule and economic loss.
They are therefore demanding a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force, the immediate return of their two Mercedes-Benz cars, and damages totaling $500 million.
The ECOWAS Court registrar has directed the Nigerian government to file its defence within 30 days, warning that failure to do so could result in a default judgment.
Legal experts say the case underscores growing concerns over police misconduct and abuse of authority in Nigeria, particularly in states with high records of extortion allegations.
The Delta State Police Command has in recent years faced multiple accusations of brutality, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of motorists.
Civil rights groups note that such cases often erode public confidence in law enforcement agencies and fuel demands for deeper police reforms.
Observers also highlight that the use of the ECOWAS Court is increasingly becoming a last resort for citizens who feel they cannot obtain justice within Nigeria’s judicial system.
The ECOWAS Court, headquartered in Abuja, has jurisdiction over human rights violations committed by member states of the Economic Community of West African States.
Over the years, the Court has ruled on several high-profile cases involving unlawful detentions, media repression, and state abuse of power.
Mrs. Okeoghene and her son argue that their rights to property, dignity, and fair treatment under regional human rights instruments have been violated.
Their legal representatives insist that the Nigeria Police must be held accountable not only for extortion but also for the reputational harm caused by the official press release.
They further argue that the requested damages of $500 million reflect the magnitude of the losses suffered by the family.
The development has sparked public debate, with some Nigerians expressing support for the plaintiffs while others question the size of the monetary claim.
Security analysts warn that if the allegations are proven true, it could further damage the international reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
They maintain that police misconduct remains one of the major obstacles to governance reform and human rights accountability in the country.
The case also revives memories of the #EndSARS protests of 2020, when Nigerian youths demonstrated against widespread police brutality and extortion.
Human rights defenders argue that the persistence of such cases suggests that meaningful reforms have yet to be fully implemented.
As the ECOWAS Court begins to review the matter, attention is now focused on whether Nigeria will mount a credible defence or face the prospect of a landmark judgment.
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