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ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice, has delivered its decision in the case of Hassan Kargbo and seven others against the State of Sierra Leone.
The applicants brought an action before the ECOWAS Court of Justice against the State of Sierra Leone for serious violations of their fundamental rights during the tragic events that took place in Makeni in July 2020, particularly the violations of the right to security of the person, the right to life and the right to an effective remedy.
The events leading to this case took place on 17 and 18 July 2020, when a demonstration by young people was violently quelled by the Sierra Leone law enforcement.
According to the applicants, the army and police used live ammunition and tear gas against the demonstrators, causing deaths and serious injuries among unarmed civilians. Several victims, including Foday Kargbo, Mohamed Sillah and Alusine Sesay, died as a result of this crackdown.
The State of Sierra Leone neither appeared nor presented a defence. The Court delivered its judgment by default.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge-Rapporteur, the Court found that the State of Sierra Leone had violated the right to security of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah. Nonetheless, the Court found that the State had neither violated the right to life of the applicants, who were still alive, nor their right to an effective remedy.
As for the unarmed civilians who had lost their lives in the violence, the claim of the applicants who had presented themselves as their rightful heirs was declared inadmissible for failure to provide proof of their death and of their kinship with the victims.
Furthermore, the Court found that the State had failed in its obligation to conduct investigations into the events at Makeni.
As compensation for these violations, it ordered the State to pay USD 15,000 in damages to each of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah for violation of their right to security. It also enjoined the State to take measures to prevent the excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations and to conduct an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
The three-member panel of the Court were Honorable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge), Honorable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (judge-rapporteur) and Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (panel member).
Troops Repel Bandit Attack, Rescue Lower Sharia Court Judge in Katsina State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have successfully repelled a bandit attack in Mahuta Village, Dandume Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State, and rescued a prominent local judge, Mr. Rabiu Tukur, following the abduction of six residents on April 8, 2025.
Zagazola Makama informed by security sources that three attack occurred around 11:55 p.m. when armed bandits stormed the village, kidnapping six individuals, including Mr. Tukur, a 49-year-old judge with the Lower Sharia Court, Dandume.
The troops engaged the bandits in a fierce confrontation, successfully rescuing Mr. Tukur without any harm.
Efforts to locate and rescue the remaining five victims are ongoing, with security forces intensifying search and rescue operations in the surrounding areas.
Troops Repel Bandit Attack, Rescue Lower Sharia Court Judge in Katsina State
News
Clash Between Commuters and Customs Officers Leads to Accident and Mob Violence in Maiadua, Kastina
Clash Between Commuters and Customs Officers Leads to Accident and Mob Violence in Maiadua, Kastina
By: Zagazola Makama
A clash between a Customs patrol team and commuters resulted in a serious accident at Koza Village, Maiadua Local Government Area (LGA), on April 8, 2025, at around 8:35 p.m.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Customs team was in pursuit of a commuter vehicle when the incident occurred.
In the aftermath, an angry mob set fire to the Customs camp in retaliation for the accident. The situation escalated, but the Division Police Officer (DPO) quickly mobilized police personnel to the scene to restore order.
As of now, the situation has been brought under control, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the details surrounding the incident.
Clash Between Commuters and Customs Officers Leads to Accident and Mob Violence in Maiadua, Kastina
Bandit Attack Foiled in Musawa LGA Kastina As Nine Kidnapped Victims Rescued
By: Zagazola Makama
In a daring rescue operation, the security forces successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine victims from armed bandits on April 9, 2025, at approximately 1:25 a.m.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspected armed bandits, riding motorcycles, stormed Farin Dutse in Dangani, Musawa Local Government Area, and abducted several individuals.
However, the timely response from the Division Police Officer (DPO), who mobilized a Joint APC Patrol to the scene, led to a fierce gun battle with the bandits.
In the aftermath of the engagement, six females and three males were rescued and swiftly transported to the General Hospital Musawa for medical attention.
The victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Bandit Attack Foiled in Musawa LGA Kastina As Nine Kidnapped Victims Rescued
Troops Repel Bandit Attack, Rescue Lower Sharia Court Judge in Katsina State
Clash Between Commuters and Customs Officers Leads to Accident and Mob Violence in Maiadua, Kastina
Bandit Attack Foiled in Musawa LGA Kastina As Nine Kidnapped Victims Rescued
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