ECOWAS Court adjourns N500 billion suit against FG

News Express |10th Oct 2016 | 2,727

The ECOWAS Court of Justice sitting in Abuja has adjourned hearing to November 9, 2016 for the 500 billion naira compensation suit filed against the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Movement Against Fulani Occupation (MAFO).

This follows a motion on a notice filed by the Federal Government seeking an extension of time to allow it file all processes and a preliminary objection challenging the suit.

The MAFO group had accused Fulani herdsmen of attacks in which many lives and property have been destroyed.

Eleven indigenes of Benue State, co-ordinated by the group, represented the victims in a protest against the Fulani herdsmen attacks in the state.

The alleged failure of the Federal Government to protect them from the said attacks have prompted their legal actions.

The group is therefore seeking for the fundamental human rights enforcement from the Federal Government, in addition to the 500 billion naira compensation to guarantee safety of human lives and properties.

“Within the last three years, Fulani Herdsmen have carried out over 50 major attacks on Benue communities, the most prominent of them taking place in 15 out of 23 Local Government Areas,” the group said.

They emphasised that the locations of the Fulani herdsmen who carry out the attacks are well known to the security agencies.

However, they have accused the federal government of refusing to accost the herdsmen which according to them will prevent further attacks on their communities. (Channels TV)