The Federal Government of Nigeria and several senior security and health officials have been dragged before the ECOWAS Court of Justice over allegations of tampering with the body and cause of death of the late Mr. Joseph Ighorhiohwunu and planning an unlawful burial.
The suit, ECW/CCJ/APP/38/25, was filed by Mr. Emmanuel Erhioyovwe Ighorhiohwunu and Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, who are representing themselves and the deceased.
In the application filed through their counsel, Andrew N. Elekeokwuri, Esq., the applicants accused the Federal Government and its agents of interfering with ongoing judicial proceedings by planning to bury the deceased without family consent or a conclusive police investigation report.
Those named in the suit include Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi; Area Commander, Ughelli, ACP Aliyu Shaba; DPOs CSP Labe Joseph (Ekpan Division) and CSP Omosetemi Agbede-Zuokumor (Ugborikoko Division); Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; Lt. Ogo of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun; and Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme.
The applicants allege the officials conspired with suspected killers of the deceased to conduct an unlawful burial set for October 25, 2025, in contempt of the ECOWAS Court.
They described the planned burial as an attempt to obstruct justice, tamper with evidence, and undermine the authority of the regional court.
Documents attached to the filing show that the applicants had petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation on October 15, 2025, seeking urgent intervention to stop the burial, but received no response.
They argue that the government’s actions amount to interference with judicial proceedings and violations of the deceased’s rights to life, dignity, and justice, guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified and domesticated.
The contempt notice, filed under Article 21 of the 2005 ECOWAS Court Supplementary Protocol and Articles 4(g) and 7(1)(2) of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, seeks sanctions and restraining orders against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its agents.
Counsel for the applicants warned that proceeding with the burial “shall be deemed contempt of the Honourable Court and attract appropriate sanctions.”
The ECOWAS Court, sitting in Abuja, is expected to consider the application in the coming days.
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