Nigeria Agrees To Pay N88b Compensation To Civil War Victims

Over four decades after the end of the Nigerian Civil War, the Nigerian government, on Monday, agreed to pay a compensatory package of N88 billion to the victims.

The agreement followed the consent judgment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice.

A majority of the sum, N50 billion, will be paid to the direct victims of the war in the 11 affected states in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the North-Central geopolitical zones.

In the judgment read by Justice Friday Nwoke, the Nigerian government is expected to pay N50 billion into an account (1018230076) operated by Noel Chukwukadibia at the United Bank for Africa Plc. Mr. Chukwukadibia is the war victims' nominated counsel.

The federal government will also set up a National Mine Action Centre in Owerri, Imo State, for victims of the war in the South-East.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the federal government will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of all stakeholders in the settlement terms.

UCJ, UNILORIN.