ECOWAS court orders FG to pay N27m compensation over death of military cadet

-ECOWAS court ordered the federal government to pay N27m compensation over violation of right to life.

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has ordered Nigerian government to pay $75,000 equivalent to N27m as compensation to Wing Commander Danladi Angulu-Kwasu (rtd) for the death of his son, El-Shadai in Kaduna State.

Naija News gathered that the Presiding Judge, Justice Friday Nwoke gave the order on Tuesday.

The plaintiff had alleged that his late 19-year-old son, who was a cadet in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), died during a water-manship training on April 30, 2015.

He said the deceased was compelled to take part in the exercise even when he said that he could not swim.

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According to him, his son was pushed into Kangimi Dam, a 100-metre deep lake where the training took place without the necessary safety equipment.

He said relevant authorities failed to investigate the matter and prosecute the officials involved.

Justice Friday Nwoke, in his verdict ruled that negligence and incompetence of the authorities was unlawful and a violation of the right to life of the applicant in line with international laws.

He ordered the defendant to pay 75, 000 dollars as compensation for unlawful deprivation of the applicant’s life, adding that the federal government should investigate the matter and prosecute those found guilty.