News
ECOWAS Court Orders Côte d’Ivoire to Pay CFA50 million for Violation of Citizens Rights
ECOWAS Court Orders Côte d’Ivoire to Pay CFA50 million for Violation of Citizens Rights
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of justice on 30th of November, 2023, declared the State of Côte d’Ivoire liable for violation of rights of Adou Kouamé and nine other Ivorians, and ordered the Ivorian government to pay 50 million CFA Francs to each of them as compensation.
In its judgement delivered by Hon Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, Judge Rapporteur, the Court declared that the Respondent – State of Côte d’Ivoire violated the right to healthy environment and health, right to private and family life, right to adequate standard of living and food, right to freedom of religion and right of minorities to have their own culture.
However, the Court dismissed the Applicants – Adou Kouame and Others’ claim that their right to property was violated, for lack of sufficient evidence of ownership. The Court also declared the second, thirteenth and fourteenth Applicants in the suit as improper parties before the Court, stating that they did not present evidence showing their relationship with the parents they claimed to be representing respectively. The Applicants request for collective compensation was dismissed by the Court too.
In the case with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/08/21, the Applicants – Adou Kouame, village head of Similimi and 14 other residents, claimed that the State of Côte d’Ivoire’s failure to protect them from the negative effects of the mining activities in their community violated their right to healthy and sustainable environment, and health, right to religious and cultural freedom, right to private and family life, right to adequate standard of living and food, and right to property guaranteed under international laws cited in the application.
The Applicants’ lead counsels, Mr Rashidi Ibitowa, Ms Geneviève Aïssata Diallo and Mr Jonathan Kaufman argued that the Ivorian government did not “take measures to give effect to human rights protected by international law,” adding that the mining operations have had adverse effects on plantations, forests, rivers and places of worship causing them health hazards from polluted water, polluted air, explosions, noise pollution and ground tremors. And that their ancestral places of worship were destroyed by the mining activities including altars for sacrifices and they are of the opinion their ancestors are angry with them because their prayers and invocations were no longer answered.
They also asked the Court to hold the State liable for failure to validate the impact assessment results of 2010 that would have resettled them, adding that the Ministry of Mining and Geology renewed the mining licence of the company in 2018 despite the fact that the environmental damage persisted, and the company had not fulfilled its obligations.
They demanded 12 billion CFA francs as compensation for the estimated 600 residents of Similimi, and another 3 billion CFA francs for the Applicants for the prejudice suffered, and an order for their resettlement, among other reliefs.
The Respondent – State of Côte d’Ivoire said that following the exploitation of the mines, and the residents’ demand for compensation from the mining company as well as complaint of adverse effect on water and human health, the Minister of Environment engaged its agencies – Ivorian Anti-Pollution Centre (CIAPOL) and the National Environment Agency (ANDE) and that their reports led to the suspension of the activities of the mining company by an Order of 11 November 2015.
However, the company was allowed to resume activities in 2016 while implementing corrective measures, adding that periodic meetings between all parties continued until 2020 and that a general meeting was also held in 2021.
The Respondent asked the Court to declare the case inadmissible arguing that the matter was within the jurisdiction of national courts and that the claims of the Applicants were ill-founded and should be dismissed.
In the judgment, the Court which held that the matter was within its jurisdiction, also asked the State of Côte d’Ivoire to ensure the residents of Similimi community located in Bondoukou district in Côte d’Ivoire were resettled in compliance with relevant laws, ensure a healthy environment is restored rapidly, end the ongoing environmental degradation, and hold the perpetrators responsible for the environmental degradation.
The State of Côte d’Ivoire was ordered to bear the cost of litigation, and submit to the Court within three months, measures taken to implement this judgment.
Also on the bench were Justices Edward Amoako Asante (presiding) and Dupe Atoki (Member).
ECOWAS Court Orders Côte d’Ivoire to Pay CFA50 million for Violation of Citizens Rights
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, on Monday, trained 100 journalists to enhance coverage of climate change and environmental issues in Gombe State.
The one-day capacity building exercise is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), aimed at raising awareness on land restoration and sustainable landscape management.
ACReSAL is a World Bank financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states in northern Nigeria.
Dr Sani Jauro, State Coordinator, ACReSAL, described journalists as critical stakeholders in efforts towards reclaiming degraded lands and ensuring sustainable landscape management.
He said the training aimed at improving journalists’ understanding of climate related issues to help them communicate the challenges and solutions effectively to the public.
Jauro expressed optimism that the training would enhance the skills and knowledge of media practitioners in reporting ACRESAL, environmental and climate change issues.
The coordinator commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for his support in addressing environmental related issues, to improve lives and protect livelihoods of communities threatened by land degradation.
He also lauded the media support in the implementation of ACReSAL project through accurate reportage, and urged them to sustain the feat to promote community ownership of ACReSAL project.
NUJ Chairman, Faruk Muazu, lauded ACReSAL and Jewel Environmental Initiatives (JEI), the implementing partner, for their efforts at upskilling journalists.
Muazu urged other government bodies to partner with the organisation to train journalists on issues that would enhance development in Gombe State.
“This training will help improve the quality of conversations around climate change, land restoration and environmental issues across the state.
“It will ensure that the media becomes adequately informed about climate change related issues across the state,” he said.
Mr Ismail Bima, Project Coordinator, JEI, also urged journalists to prioritise environmental and climate change reportage to promote sustainable environment.
Represented by Danladi Aliyu, an official of JEI, Bima said awareness creation on ACReSAL project, government and stakeholders investment would build sustainability culture among residents.
One of the participants, Chika Udenkwo, commended the gesture, adding it would expose journalists better skills to report environmental issues and climate change.
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate during a coordinated operation to rid the territory of criminal elements.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to flush out criminal gangs operating within the nation’s capital between Oct. 10 and 17, 2025.
The suspects Manaseh Emmanuel, 36, and Dogora Ibrahim, 21, both from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, and Ibrahim Idamusa, 40, from Giri Local Government Area of Adamawa State were arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.
The suspects, who all reside in New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Durumi, were apprehended following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was linked to a notorious and unrepentant armed robber, Ibrahim Yakubu a.k.a. Ycome, currently standing trial over an armed robbery incident at Maitama on Oct. 10, 2025.
Sources said that Police investigations further uncovered that Ycome, who was earlier brought out of prison on a reproduction warrant on May 21, 2025, had been coordinating illicit drug operations and other criminal activities from prison.
Sources said the suspects confessed to robbing several vehicles in different parts of Abuja, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other accomplices and recover stolen vehicles.
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) have neutralized a notorious armed robbery suspect, identified as Saater, during a gun duel in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 18, followed credible intelligence that led the team to a hotel at the Owner Occupiers area of Makurdi, where the suspect was hiding.
The suspect, who was said to be a notorious kidnapper, assassin, and armed robber from Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, was allegedly responsible for the killings of several persons, including the commander of local hunters and his wife, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and a traditional ruler, among others.
Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect reportedly opened fire on the team, prompting a gun battle during which he sustained fatal bullet wounds.
Sources said he was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Items recovered from him include a locally fabricated short gun, two cartridges, assorted criminal charms, and seven SIM cards of different networks.
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
