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ECOWAS Court and Sierra Leone Government Organise Capacity-Building Training for Sierra Leone State Attorneys
ECOWAS Court and Sierra Leone Government Organise Capacity-Building Training for Sierra Leone State Attorneys
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Court in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone organised a capacity-building training for State Attorneys at the Law Officers’ Department.
The training held at the Sierra Leone Law School Complex and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, is centred on ECOWAS Community law, practice and jurisprudence, among others.
In his remarks, Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Court said the training was designed to deepen participants’ knowledge of the Court and its judicial processes and procedures to ensure effective legal representation in the administration of justice. He stressed that cases from the Republic of Sierra Leone have been dismissed due to technicalities or procedural irregularities, leading to reliance on lawyers from neighbouring countries, adding that this training will equip the lawyers for better representation before the Court.
He acknowledged the commitment of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay to continuous training and professional development of the State legal officers. “Sierra Leone has consistently engaged the Court on various matters. Therefore, the State’s decision to request the Court’s assistance in enhancing the capabilities of its lawyers to sustain this engagement, is laudable. The Court remains committed to educating Member States on Community law and practice and to sharing its jurisprudence,” he said.
Delivering his remarks, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay said his office is keen on effective justice delivery that will enhance the rights of the citizens.
He urged the legal officers to actively participate and familiarise themselves with the Community Law, Jurisprudence, and applicable laws in the administration of justice in the Community Court. He encouraged the participants to avail themselves of this opportunity to ensure that the State gets effective representation before the Court.
Topics for presentation include jurisdiction of the Court, admissibility, non-exhaustion of local remedies, sources of law, jurisprudence, human rights mandate, written and oral procedures before the Court, default judgment, among others. Facilitators drawn from experienced lawyers at the Court led practical exercises on drafting, filing, and oral procedure.
During the four-day mission from 28 July to 31 July, 2025, the delegation from the Court including Hon President Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Goncalves and Hon Vice-President Sengu Mohamed Koroma have scheduled courtesy visits to high authorities of the State. The high-level delegation of the Court to the Republic of Sierra Leone underscores the Court’s commitment to improving professional legal practice in the region. A similar training was recently held in Accra, Ghana.
End
Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have rescued a 16-year-old girl, Leadway Innocent, who was abducted on her way to school in Jikwoyi area of Abuja.
Zagazola learnt that the rescue operation, which took place on July 31, followed the arrest of four suspects linked to the abduction. The suspects were identified as Mayoma Adediji, Joy Innocent, Tina Mayoma, and Sunday Femi all residents of Jikwoyi Phase 2.
The incident was initially reported on July 30 by the victim’s father, Mr Innocent Doctor, who told police that his daughter left home for Government Secondary School Karu on July 18 but never returned.
He said that two days later, he received a call from an unknown person demanding a ransom of ₦5 million for her release. After negotiation, the abductors reportedly agreed to collect ₦1.5 million.
Upon receipt of the report, police detectives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, launched a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the suspects and the safe rescue of the victim.
The girl was rescued unhurt at about 1:00 p.m. on July 31, and all four suspects are currently in custody undergoing interrogation,” the statement added.
Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects
Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have launched a search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of two farmers by suspected armed bandits in Isa LGA in Sokoto state.
Zagazola Makama understands that the victims, Halilu Nuhu of Gidan Bawa village and Mamuda Aliyu of Bagarera village, were reportedly kidnapped around noon on July 31 while working on their farms.
It was gathered that six bandits riding on three motorcycles carried out the abduction and fled into nearby forests.
The troops swift into action to block escape routes and comb suspected hideouts, including forests stretching toward the border with Niger Republic.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A brutal rivalry between two notorious bandit leaders has left three men dead following a violent clash in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred on July 31 in Marbe village, Kwaren Ganuwa district, when gunmen loyal to Kachalla Alti, a notorious bandit commander, attacked the residence of his rival, Haruna Hari.
It was gathered the attack started at about 11:15 a.m., leading to the death of Hari and two of his lieutenants. The attackers also rustled a large number of cattle as well as the weapons of the slain bandit leader, before fleeing to an unknown location.
The incident was part of a long-standing rivalry between the two groups, who have clashed repeatedly over control of criminal routes and operations in the area.
“This isn’t the first time they’ve clashed, but this was the most brutal,” said a resident of Kwaren Ganuwa. “People in this area have lived under their shadow for years.”
Though no civilian casualties were reported,
The Intra-gang violence among armed groups in Zamfara has been on the rise in recent months, fuelled by competition over territory, weapons supply, and ransom collection.
killing of Haruna Hari may trigger more retaliatory attacks in the coming days, especially across Tsafe and Maradun axes where both men had strong influence.
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
Police rescue kidnapped schoolgirl in Abuja, arrest four suspects
Army troops launch manhunt as bandits abduct two farmers in Sokoto
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
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