RULAAC slams FG for ignoring court orders on Glory Okolie, police victim treated like domestic servant during detention

More than three years after a court victory at the Federal High Court, Glory Okolie, the lady operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, converted to their domestic servant while in their detention, has remained uncompensated.

In a statement, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) condemned in the strongest terms the continued refusal of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force to comply with valid court judgments awarding compensation to Miss Glory Okolie.

Okolie was a victim of unlawful arrest, detained incommunicado, and treated like a domestic servant of the police, doing laundry and other menial jobs for them while being their captive.

Besides the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court victory of June 23, 2022, Gloria Okolie also won a landmark judgment at the ECOWAS Court of Justice on November 21, 2024. The court also ordered the Nigerian state to pay a total of ₦70 million in damages to Miss Okolie for the gross violation of her fundamental human rights.

The statement by RULAAC signed by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, reads: “Miss Okolie, then a student, was arbitrarily arrested on June 13, 2021, by officers of the Intelligence Response Team in Owerri, Imo State. She was unlawfully detained for several months, subjected to degrading treatment, and denied legal representation. During her detention, she was reportedly forced to carry out domestic chores for police officers, effectively treated as a maid, while her family searched for her in vain, fearing the worst.

“Both the FCT High Court and the ECOWAS Court found the actions of the Nigeria Police and the Federal Government to be unjustifiable and illegal. The ECOWAS Court ruled that her prolonged detention without trial violated Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ordered the payment of ₦10 million in damages. Prior to that, the FCT High Court had awarded ₦60 million in punitive and general damages.

“Despite these clear judgments, the Nigerian authorities have blatantly refused to honour the rulings. Letters and official communications from Miss Okolie’s legal representatives to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation have been ignored. This act of defiance not only adds to the trauma of a victim of injustice but also constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law and Nigeria’s obligations under both domestic and international law.

Our Demands

Immediate payment of the ₦70 million compensation as awarded by the FCT High Court and the ECOWAS Court to Miss Glory Okolie.

Public apology to Miss Okolie for the grievous harm done to her.

Accountability for the officers involved in her illegal arrest and detention.

Institutional reforms to ensure that no Nigerian is subjected to such abuse of power again.

“RULAAC reminds the Nigerian government that court judgments are not advisory opinions—they are binding obligations. A democracy cannot thrive where state institutions operate with impunity and in disregard of judicial authority. The deliberate failure to comply with these rulings signals state-sanctioned lawlessness, undermines public trust in the justice system, and emboldens rights violators within the security sector.

“We urge local and international human rights bodies, diplomatic missions, and development partners to join in calling on the Nigerian government to respect the rule of law and ensure justice for Glory Okolie. Her case is not an isolated one—it is symbolic of the widespread abuse, disregard for due process, and impunity that plague Nigeria’s law enforcement system.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice defied is justice destroyed.”