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ECOWAS COURT CONFIRMS THE VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS TO WORK OF 53 TOGOLESE BY THEIR STATE
ECOWAS COURT CONFIRMS THE VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS TO WORK OF 53 TOGOLESE BY THEIR STATE
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, has affirmed that the Togolese Republic violated the right to work of Abiguime Maguiliwè and 52 Others.
The Applicants have claimed that the Republic of Togo violated their right to work, freedom of association, and right not to be subject to arbitrary detention.
Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, the judge Rapporteur who delivered the judgment, said that the Court dismissed the allegations regarding the right to freedom of association.
The Court also declared no violation of the right to strike and the right not to be arbitrarily detained. However, it ordered the Republic of Togo to compensate each of the 53 Applicants with 10,000,000 CFA francs for violating their right to work while rejecting the other claims for compensation.
The Applicants, a group of Togolese teachers, alleged that after forming the Togolese Teachers’ Union (SET) on May 22, 2021, and submitting the required documents on June 18, 2021, the Togolese authorities refused to recognise the union.
They said that despite sending a “Platform of Demands” on February 3, 2022, and issuing a strike notice for March 24 – 25, 2022, SET received no response and faced threats and intimidation from authorities.
They further explained that 150 teachers were transferred as disciplinary action between March and April 2022, and on April 8, 2022, three union leaders were arrested on charges of inciting uprising, which they deny.
They said that on April 25, 2022, some teachers were dismissed or suspended for participating in the strike. Additionally, the Court of Lomé prohibited the use of the acronym “SET,” which the Applicants contested, arguing that protection should focus on the name or domain, not the acronym.
The Respondent, despite being duly summoned, did not contest it.
In its judgment, the Court found that the Republic of Togo violated the Applicants’ right to work. The Togolese authorities had dismissed and temporarily suspended several teachers, including the Applicants, due to their participation in the strike.
The Court determined that these actions did not follow a fair process and violated their rights to work. Consequently, the Republic of Togo was ordered to pay each Applicant 10,000,000 CFA francs as compensation for this violation.
The Court also concluded that the Applicants’ right to freedom of association was not violated. The Togolese Teachers’ Union (SET) was not recognized due to the Applicants’ failure to comply with the updated procedures required by the new Labour Code, which came into force on the day of SET’s creation.
Additionally, the Court found no violation of the right to strike. Since the SET was not legally recognized, the suspension and dismissal of its members for participating in a strike were deemed lawful under Togolese legislation.
Furthermore, the Court ruled that the detention of three SET members, accused of inciting revolt, did not constitute a violation of their rights. The detentions followed due legal process, and the detainees were released within the legal time frame.
Also, on the three-member panel were Hon. Justice Edward Amoako Asante – Presiding, and Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamad Koroma – Member.
ECOWAS COURT CONFIRMS THE VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS TO WORK OF 53 TOGOLESE BY THEIR STATE
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Lanre-Onilu has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in recognition of the group’s unwavering dedication to national unity, patriotism, and its exemplary conduct as a corporate citizen that transcends religious divides to promote inclusivity.
Receiving a delegation of the NCYP who pay a courtesy visit to the NOA headquarters, the DG lauded the group’s patriotic stance and contributions to nation-building.
He particularly praised their courage and foresight in supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, a decision taken in the face of opposition from many, especially within the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.
He said: “I have known this group for quite some time. Notably, you took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket when many others opposed it. Today, the wisdom behind that decision is becoming evident through the visionary leadership being demonstrated—fair representation in appointments, reform-driven governance, and a commitment to inclusive development.
“This alone makes you worthy of the National Values Charter recognition, which embodies the principles of citizenship and patriotism.”
Earlier, the Chairman of NCYP, Mr. Isaac Abrak who led the group, emphasized that the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT -Abuja, who actively participate in politics to improve the welfare of citizens across the region and Nigeria at large.
He noted that the group’s political choices are guided by merit, equity, and the vision of building a tolerant and united society, particularly in enhancing relations between Christians and Muslims in political spaces.
Abrak identified the transformational impact of President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly referencing his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. “His strategic use of local government structures and the reformation of street youth, popularly known as ‘Area Boys,’ into productive contributors to society helped raise Lagos’ Internally Generated Revenue from N6 billion to N11 billion monthly. These bold reforms underpin our support for the full implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government Financial Autonomy.”
He stressed that the local government financial autonomy is a pro-people policy that must be anchored by the people through grassroots engagement. Mr. Abrak offered NCYP’s extensive leadership network—spanning national, state, local government, and ward levels with a workforce of over 30,000—for partnership with the 774 NOA offices nationwide to drive advocacy and implementation of this critical policy.
“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots,” Abrak said. “We are ready to collaborate with NOA to raise public awareness and ensure that local government autonomy delivers development to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”
In his concluding remarks, the NOA DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, citing landmark projects such as the 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide intervention across all regions.
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has made significant progress in its efforts to dismantle a notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate, following the arrest of several suspects on April 11, 2025.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes Benz C180 (color green), along with a Beretta pistol and a cutlass, which were seized from the suspects.
While some of the suspects have been apprehended, efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and capture the remaining members of the criminal group, who have fled the scene.
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.
Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
Nigeria, UNDP Deepen Commitment to Strengthening Democracy in West Africathrough the Regional Partnership for Democracy
Engr. Joseph Onaiwu Uworuya: Celebrating a Legacy of Love, Wisdom, and Strength at 70, By Augustine Osayande, PhD
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