Nigeria may be suspended from the Economic Community of West African States over the refusal of the Buhari administration to obey the order of the ECOWAS Court to release a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki on bail, the Punch is reporting.
Last October, the ECOWAS Court order that Dasuki who is being held for fraud charges be released on bail. The court also fine the Nigerian government, N15 million for violating his fundamental human rights.
“Consequently, the instruments of the court provide that member states and institutions shall immediately take all necessary measures to ensure execution of the decisions of the court.”
When asked if the court would sanction the Federal Government, Ugoh said, “In the unfortunate event of failure by any member state to ensure execution of decisions of the court, the ‘2012 Supplementary Act on Sanctions against member states that fail to honour their obligations to ECOWAS’ will apply.
“This vital community legal instrument provides for a wide range of sanctions that can be imposed as well as the relevant procedures to be followed,” he said.
According to the Supplementary Act on Sanctions, Nigeria could be suspended from participating in ECOWAS activities.
Other sanctions include the suspension of Nigeria’s right to vote and participate in all decision-making organs of the organisation; travel ban on its leaders, their families and associates; freezing of their financial assets; and ban on standing for the chairmanship of the community.
Dasuki, who was arrested for alleged economic crimes and other offences, is currently facing charges relating to criminal diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms for fighting Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East. He has been in custody since December 29, 2015.