Nigeria, May 16 -- The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered Nigeria to release a businessman, Moses Abiodun, who has been detained for 16 years without charge.

The court, in its judgement delivered Thursday, also ordered the Nigerian government to pay Mr Abiodun N20 million as compensation for the grave violation of his rights by detaining him without trial since 2009.

According to the court's three-member panel, led by Sengu Mohamed Koroma, the applicant's detention without charge not only constituted a violation of his rights but also amounted to anticipatory punishment.

Also on the panel were Gberi-be Ouattara and Edward Amoako Asante, who was the judge rapporteur, a statement from the court's press unit said on Thursday.

The applic...