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ECOWAS COURT PRESIDENT RECEIVES CHAIRPERSON OF COMMUNITY AUDIT COMMITTEE

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ECOWAS COURT PRESIDENT RECEIVES CHAIRPERSON OF COMMUNITY AUDIT COMMITTEE

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court President, Justice Edward Amoako Asante has welcomed the Chairperson of the Community Audit Committee, Diane Holo-Sacramento at the ECOWAS Court. The meeting marked the first official engagement between the Court and the Audit Committee, signifying a significant step towards enhanced collaboration and oversight.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante extended a warm welcome to the Audit Committee members, acknowledging the importance of their visit. He introduced the key members of the ECOWAS Court team, including the Vice President, other judges, the Chief Registrar and the Director of Administration and Finance. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss various issues with the Audit Committee, emphasising the Court’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
In her address, Diane Holo-Sacramento, Chairperson of the Audit Committee, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception. She introduced the Audit Committee, which comprised members from Senegal, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau. Holo-Sacramento highlighted the Committee’s role in overseeing financial control, internal controls, and risk assessment within ECOWAS institutions. Since their mandate began in November 2022, the committee has been actively engaging with all ECOWAS institutions to ensure compliance with established procedures and processes, she noted.
Justice Asante provided an overview of the Court’s initiatives aimed at improving its operations. He mentioned the Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) set to launch in late September, designed to reduce costs for lawyers and their clients. Additionally, the Court conducts training programs for lawyers and government agencies to enhance their understanding of the Court’s procedures, he mentioned. Despite these efforts, Justice Asante noted the challenges faced by the Court, particularly in terms of staffing and resource limitations. He called for increased support to address these issues and ensure the effective functioning of the Court.
The Chairperson of the Audit Committee commended the ECOWAS Court for its efforts in complying with audit conditions and maintaining high standards. She acknowledged the Court’s exemplary performance compared to other institutions and encouraged continued adherence to audit recommendations to further strengthen their operations.
Justice Asante expressed his gratitude for the commendation and reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to following audit guidelines. He emphasised the importance of collaboration and guidance in achieving the shared goal of serving the community effectively.

ECOWAS COURT PRESIDENT RECEIVES CHAIRPERSON OF COMMUNITY AUDIT COMMITTEE

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Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

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Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intensified offensive operations against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements, clearing multiple terrorist enclaves in the Kashimori axis of Borno State and recovering arms, logistics and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Feb. 2, 2026, under Operation Desert Sanity, with troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) operating in conjunction with volunteer forces.

The sources said the troops carried out a coordinated clearance of several ISWAP hideouts clustered around the Kashimori area, spanning multiple locations within Guzamala axis, following actionable intelligence on terrorist presence and logistics activity.

According to the sources, although the enclaves were active prior to the operation, the terrorists abandoned their positions before the arrival of troops, apparently fleeing on sensing the advancing force.

“During the clearance operations, troops destroyed terrorist life-support structures across the enclaves and recovered one motorcycle, one tricycle, five AK-47 magazines and five terrorist flags,” the sources stated.

It added that two IEDs were discovered at separate locations during the operation and were safely detonated in situ by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, while one unprimed IED was recovered intact.

The military said the operation was executed across difficult terrain, with troops encountering significant mobility challenges due to sandy soil conditions and mechanical faults affecting several vehicles and motorcycles.

Despite the constraints, the troops successfully completed the mission objectives and later harboured at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kawuri without casualty.

The sustained pressure was being maintained on terrorist elements to deny them freedom of movement, logistics corridors and safe havens.

Operation Hadin Kai has in recent weeks intensified clearance and domination patrols as part of efforts to degrade ISWAP and Boko Haram remnants, disrupt their IED networks and prevent regrouping ahead of the dry season movement window.

Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

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NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Delivery

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NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Delivery

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has unveiled its Gender Policy II, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, people-centred security delivery and institutional professionalism.

The policy was launched on Tuesday in Abuja at an event that brought together senior government officials, security sector leaders, development partners and civil society organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, described inclusivity as a critical pillar for building a credible and effective security institution. He said the new policy reflects the Corps’ determination to align its operations with global standards while supporting national security priorities.

Audi, who represented the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that Gender Policy II is designed to strengthen the Corps’ institutional capacity, enhance operational performance and ensure that personnel carry out their duties with professionalism, dignity and respect for human rights.

According to him, embedding gender responsiveness in security operations will improve service delivery, promote accountability and foster public trust, particularly among vulnerable and underserved communities.

Participants at the event, which was supported by UKFIDO and SPRING, highlighted the importance of inclusive security frameworks in safeguarding citizens and advancing social justice. Speakers noted that policies which promote equity and participation contribute significantly to effective law enforcement and national stability.

The launch of Gender Policy II also reaffirms the NSCDC’s commitment to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Observers described the policy as a major milestone in the Corps’ ongoing efforts to institutionalise inclusivity, equity and professionalism across its operations nationwide.

NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Deliver

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Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

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Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

Austin Aigbe FSM
Gender Rights Advocate

In the aftermath of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, I sat with a heavy heart and a clear conclusion: affirmative action legislation is essential to address the stark underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership. Despite women making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they occupy less than 5 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, underscoring a civic duty to effect change.

As the then Secretary of the National Coalition of Affirmative Action (NCAA) in my state, I worked alongside visionary women such as the late Oby Nwankwo, who helped lead the national gender equality architecture, as well as Hajia Saudatu Mandi and Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, among others. Together, we pushed for the full domestication of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), culminating in the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunity (GEO) Bill. Yet, since 2007, that bill has languished in the National Assembly, stalled by political resistance and cultural pushback.

Now, the Special Seats Bill offers a breakthrough. It is not a compromise—it is a resolution. It responds to criticisms of the GEO Bill by focusing on representation rather than just rights. It proposes additional seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, to be contested exclusively by women, without reducing existing seats or threatening incumbents. It is a democratic innovation, not a disruption.

Why Special Seats Matter

The argument is simple: democracy must reflect the people. If half of the population is excluded from decision-making, democracy remains incomplete. Special seats are not about tokenism; they are about correcting structural imbalances. Sierra Leone, for example, passed the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act in 2022, addressing gender gaps by increasing women’s representation in decision-making, improving access to finance and employment, and promoting equal opportunities in education and training. Other countries, including Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, have used constitutional and legislative measures to advance gender parity. Nigeria should no longer lag.

The Special Seats Bill also directly addresses the barriers women face when contesting elections:

Violence and intimidation, particularly during party primaries.
The monetisation of politics disadvantages women with fewer financial resources.
Patriarchal party structures that sideline women during candidate selection.
By creating a guaranteed pathway, the bill enables women to enter the political space, build experience, and eventually compete for general seats on a more equal footing.

The Human Cost of Delay

Every election cycle without reform is a missed opportunity. In 2023, only 3.6 per cent of those elected to the National Assembly were women; it is not merely a statistic; it represents hundreds of capable women denied a voice. It reflects the silencing of perspectives on maternal health, education, gender-based violence, and economic inclusion.

I have previously supported interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity of women candidates—many of whom were more qualified than their male opponents but were pushed aside by party gatekeepers. I have seen communities rally behind women leaders, only to be told they are “not electable.” The Special Seats Bill is a lifeline for these women—and for the communities they seek to represent.

A Call to the National Assembly

The National Assembly has a patriotic duty to pass this bill now, as it directly impacts Nigeria’s democratic future and inclusivity.

Nigeria’s lawmakers must rise above partisan interests and act in the national interest. The bill has reached its final stage of legislative consideration. The time to act is now—before the 2027 elections are upon us.

Conclusion: Democracy Is Representation

The Special Seats Bill is a vital democratic correction that ensures equal participation and opportunity, enabling meaningful change.

Let us not wait another decade. Let us not mourn another election cycle defined by exclusion. Let us pass the Special Seats Bill—and finally make democracy whole.

Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

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