ECOWAS Court Involved as Nigerian Court Fails to Hear Aghogho’s Detention Case

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has been notified about the continued detention of activist Aghogho, after a scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja did not take place as planned.

Aghogho, a human rights campaigner, remains in custody amid ongoing legal disputes over his arrest and detention, prompting his legal team to take the matter to the regional court to ensure his fundamental rights are considered.

The Federal High Court was expected to sit on the case, but proceedings were postponed due to the judge’s absence and a failure to convene the court session. This second missed hearing has intensified concerns about delays in the justice process for detainees challenging their custody in court.

Lawyers for Aghogho say that notifying the ECOWAS Court is a necessary step to pursue justice at both national and regional levels, citing the need for judicial oversight when domestic courts do not address questions about unlawful detention.

The development adds pressure on Nigeria’s judicial system and highlights wider debates over access to fair and timely hearings for activists and critics of government action.