Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) founder Grace Jerry refused to apologize to her victim of rights abuse Eleanora Mayowa Boyo eighth months ago. Jerry’s connections within the disability community probably gave her confidence as they swung into action to silence the blind lady, and kill the story. Even when the matter eventually got to court, Jerry and her team bluffed ahead with tactics to cow Eleanora’s counsel who refused all entreaties to back off.
Now Jerry might have to do it—with N1 million in punitive damages and another half of that for Eleanora’s legal cost.
Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi of the High Court of FCT, Abuja, on December 23 declared the disability NGO founder’s actions “unlawful, unconstitutional, and violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights”.
Eleanora had alleged in an April event at Efab Estate in Abuja that Jerry detained her, threatened her life, and evicted her from her Boys Quarters apartment while her rent was still on.
But Jerry and her defence team from M.A Mahmud (SAN) and Co. spent the entire period denying that, despite evidence, and clinging unto a straw man of a defamatory report, a kangaroo NCPWD panel, and some kind of settlement.
“Typically, their team would comprise at least six lawyers, while I would represent our client alone,” Justice Christopher, Eleanora’s counsel, told ER. “Despite this disparity, I presented our case with conviction and tenacity.”
In her judgement, Justice Adeyemi averred that Jerry forcefully took possession of the Boys Quarters which the applicant rented from her.
The judge also held that Jerry again prevented the lady from leaving the premises, as confirmed in a video the court reviewed.
But the defence team would still not accept the verdict. Christopher said he had received their notice of intention to appeal.
Eleanora welcomed the court’s decision, and accepted closure on after the judgement.
“Despite the judgement saying I was unable to prove some of the danger I experienced, like the threat to my life, it was still undeniable that my rights were breached,” she told ER, referring to her abuser as a fellow PWD old enough to be her mother. “I felt like I was kidnapped.”
The verdict, however, excited her. “I had only one lawyer who is also a PWD who stood against five other lawyers every sitting,” she said.
According to her, the court expedited the sitting, making it shorter than she had expected because the judge considered it a fundamental human rights case. She also noted the judge’s fairness and attentiveness.
Most of the disability community paid little or no attention to Eleanora’s plight when ER broke the story in April. And those who did cared little for fairness—because of the personalities involved.
This was just about the first time Nigerians witnessed the blow-out of a case where a disability NGO founder abused a lesser PWD. The incident tested the disability community’s sense of equality.
Even Jerry’s IFA and its board of trustees vacillated a bit before they took sides. In a rebuttal it copied McArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Disability Rights Funds, and others, the board discredited ER report, and dismissed Eleanora’s allegations as exaggerated.
And while the matter was in court, Jerry kept up the heat.
“I was begged, bullied, threatened, gaslighted with repeated demands to drop the case,” Christopher said.
The victim and her lawyer, however, pressed on with the charges.
“This fight isn’t for me, but for all women with disabilities violated and abused by fellow PWDs,” Eleanora said, echoing her counsel’s similar line. “I believe if you breach the law, you should face the consequences. Influence or wealth should not be a shield from justice.”
As he looks forward to Jerry making good her intention to appeal, Christopher said he remains steadfast in his commitment to advocate Eleanora’s right, and “create a more just and inclusive society for all.”
