ECOWAS Court Hears Case Against Nigerian Officials Over Unlawful Burial

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria and several top security and health officials have been accused of contempt of court before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over allegations of tampering with the body and cause of death of the late Mr. Joseph Ighorhiohwunu.

The suit, ECW/CCJ/APP/38/25, was filed by Mr. Emmanuel Erhioyovwe Ighorhiohwunu and Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, representing themselves and the deceased.

According to the applicants, the Federal Government, acting through several of its agents, interfered with ongoing judicial proceedings by planning an unlawful burial of the deceased without their consent and without a conclusive police investigation report.[irp]

In a notice filed through their counsel, Andrew N. Elekeokwuri, Esq., the applicants contend that senior government officials, including Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi; Area Commander, Ughelli, ACP Aliyu Shaba; Divisional Police Officers CSP Labe Joseph and CSP Omosetemi Agbede-Zuokumor; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; naval officer Lt. Ogo of Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun; and Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, acted in contempt of the ECOWAS Court.

The notice alleges that these officials were conspiring with suspected killers of the deceased to carry out an unlawful and contemptuous burial scheduled for October 25, 2025, even as the case remains pending before the ECOWAS Court.

The applicants describe the planned burial as a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice, tamper with key evidence, and undermine the authority of the regional court.[irp]

Supporting documents indicate that the applicants had earlier petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation on October 15, 2025, requesting urgent intervention to halt the proposed burial. The Federal Government reportedly failed to act, allowing its agents to proceed with what the applicants describe as a flagrant violation of judicial authority.

The applicants argue that the Federal Government’s actions constitute interference with pending judicial proceedings, breach of the right to fair hearing, and continuing violations of the rights to life, dignity, and justice guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified.

The notice, filed pursuant to Article 21 of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol establishing the ECOWAS Court and Articles 4(g) and 7(1)(2) of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, calls on the Court to impose sanctions and issue restraining orders against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its agents to preserve the dignity of the judicial process.[irp]

Counsel to the applicants stated that unless the Federal Government and its agents desist from the planned burial, such conduct “shall be deemed contempt of the Honourable Court and attract appropriate sanctions.”

Supporting documents include a certified copy of the petition to the Attorney-General and evidence of the public notice announcing the planned burial.

The ECOWAS Court, sitting in Abuja, is expected to consider the contempt application in the coming days as the applicants seek orders of restraint, enforcement, and sanctions against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the named officials.