Two NGOs sued Nigeria for the damage caused by the Lagdo Dam floods in 2012 and 2022, but the ECOWAS Court rejected their claims.
The lawsuit, which was brought by the Nigerian and Swiss Incorporated Trustees of the Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation, aimed to hold Nigeria responsible for not building a dam in Adamawa to lessen flooding caused by Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.
NGOs Make the Case for Nigeria’s Ignored Duties
The applicants contended that 14 states experienced extensive damage, fatalities, displacement, and economic disruption as a result of Nigeria’s delay.
They argued that a dam project might have produced energy, supplied irrigation, and lessened the flooding.
Citing a lack of legal ability, Justice Sengu Koroma rejected the complaint in his ruling. The Nigerian NGO did not meet the requirements for public interest litigation, and the Swiss NGO was found to be unqualified to bring a lawsuit before the ECOWAS Court.
Justice Koroma said, “The court is unable to identify specific victims whose rights were allegedly violated, even though the applicants mentioned a broad class of victims.”
Nigeria’s defense emphasized its initiatives, such as a 1982 feasibility assessment and a Senate resolution in 2024 for the dredging of the Niger and Benue Rivers. The government claimed to have taken action to improve collaboration with Cameroon and control flooding.
Justices Sengu Koroma, Dupe Atoki, and Edward Asante decided the case.
