The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court recently ruled in favor of Mohamed Morlu, a former student from Bo, Sierra Leone, who was shot in the abdomen during a peaceful protest in March 2017. The court ordered the Sierra Leonean government to compensate Morlu for his injuries and suffering.

Mohamed Morlu's legal representatives, Advocaid and the Institute for Human Rights Development in Africa (IHRDA), brought the case before the ECOWAS Court, alleging that the Sierra Leonean police violated Morlu's right to security and freedom from torture. They also argued that the government failed to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for Morlu's injuries.

The ECOWAS Court agreed with Morlu's legal team, stating that the Sierra Leonean government had violated several of Morlu's rights under the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court ordered the government to provide financial compensation to Morlu for his injuries and suffering.

Eleanor Thompson, a legal advocate for Morlu, praised the ECOWAS Court's decision, calling it a victory for survivors and police accountability in Sierra Leone. She also highlighted the importance of the court's ruling in defining what constitutes torture by law enforcement during protests.

This case sets a significant precedent for police accountability in Sierra Leone and underscores the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law. It also highlights the crucial role that regional courts like the ECOWAS Court play in ensuring justice and accountability in cases of human rights violations.