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COURT DISMISSES CLAIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST GUINEA, AMID CLAIMS OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
COURT DISMISSES CLAIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST GUINEA, AMID CLAIMS OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a case brought by a Guinean alleging violation of his rights to fair, impartial and independent court proceedings by the State of Guinea.
In its judgment delivered by Hon Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, the Court affirmed it had jurisdiction to hear the case and declared the application admissible. However, it held that the Applicant – Mr Souleymane Bah’s rights were not violated as claimed.
In addition, the Court dismissed the preliminary objection of the Respondent – State of Guinea challenging the admissibility of the case before the Court as well as Mr Bah’s application to compel a witness to testify before the Court. It also dismissed all other reliefs and claims sought by both parties, and ordered Mr Bah to pay a symbolic cost of 10,000 CFA Francs to the State of Guinea.
In the case with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/24/19, filed on 3 June 2019, Mr Bah claimed the violation of his rights to fair, impartial and independent tribunal as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (ACHPR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Mr Bah, who was represented by his lawyer – Mr. Alpha Yaya Drame, told the Court that a partial Order was issued against him under his nickname “Thia’nguel” but that he was neither notified of the allegations against him nor was he given an opportunity to respond to the same. He also told the Court that he learnt of his conviction to life sentence from the press.
He averred that he was tried in absentia which contravenes the provisions of the Guinean Code of Criminal Procedure and asked the Court to order the State of Guinea to, inter alia, pay him general and economic damages as his conviction has equally affected his contract with an international organisation.
On its part, the Respondent – State of Guinea represented by Mr. Joachim Gbilimou, denied Mr. Bah’s claims adding that Judgment No 03 of 9th January 2018 involving Thia’nguel was not the same person as Mr. Souleymane Bah and that Thia’nguel was never identified as Mr. Bah during the trial.
He further argued that Mr. Bah should have opposed the decision of the national court if he felt he was the same person, and moreover, the nickname was not indicated as a party to any contract with an international organisation as claimed. The Respondent therefore asked the Court to dismiss all the claims of Mr. Bah and award costs in its favour.
Concerning Mr Bah’s request for the Court to compel the Attorney-General of Guinea to give evidence before the Court, the Court noted that the facts and evidence before it did not establish a connection between Mr. Bah, the indictment and or the said judgment from the national court, and therefore dismissed his application.
However, the Court ordered the Guinean government to refrain from arresting or detaining Mr. Souleymane Bah in relation to Judgment No 3 of 9th January, 2018, following the government’s earlier submission that “the criminal Judgment n° 03 of 09/01/2018 of the Tribunal of First instance of Dixinn did not target Mr Souleymane BAH”.
The Court dismissed all other claims after noting that ‘the so-called Thia’nguel was never formally identified at any of the judicial stages’ and therefore Mr. Bah cannot claim his rights were violated because he was neither served any notice of action, nor given opportunity to defend himself, and he could not have appealed or challenge the default judgment of the national court as Mr. Souleymane Bah.
Furthermore, Judgment no 03 of 9th January 2018, could not have caused Mr Bah, the termination of his contract because the agreement between the parties allowed for the possibility of non-renewal of the said contract.
The Court also dismissed Mr. Bah’s claim for compensation on the grounds that media report which is not a usual channel of court communication cannot be taken as a court process.
It awarded a symbolic 10,000 CFA Francs as cost in favour of the State of Guinea.
Also on the three-member panel were Honourable Justices Gbéri-Bè Ouattara(presiding) and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves (member).
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a case brought by a Guinean alleging violation of his rights to fair, impartial and independent court proceedings by the State of Guinea.
In its judgment on Monday delivered by Hon Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, the Court affirmed it had jurisdiction to hear the case and declared the application admissible. However, it held that the Applicant – Mr Souleymane Bah’s rights were not violated as claimed.
In addition, the Court dismissed the preliminary objection of the Respondent – State of Guinea challenging the admissibility of the case before the Court as well as Mr Bah’s application to compel a witness to testify before the Court. It also dismissed all other reliefs and claims sought by both parties, and ordered Mr Bah to pay a symbolic cost of 10,000 CFA Francs to the State of Guinea.
In the case with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/24/19, filed on 3 June 2019, Mr Bah claimed the violation of his rights to fair, impartial and independent tribunal as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (ACHPR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Bah, who was represented by his lawyer – Mr. Alpha Yaya Drame, told the Court that a partial Order was issued against him under his nickname “Thia’nguel” but that he was neither notified of the allegations against him nor was he given an opportunity to respond to the same.
He also told the Court that he learnt of his conviction to life sentence from the press.
He averred that he was tried in absentia which contravenes the provisions of the Guinean Code of Criminal Procedure and asked the Court to order the State of Guinea to, inter alia, pay him general and economic damages as his conviction has equally affected his contract with an international organisation.
On its part, the Respondent – State of Guinea represented by Mr. Joachim Gbilimou, denied Mr. Bah’s claims adding that Judgment No 03 of 9th January 2018 involving Thia’nguel was not the same person as Mr. Souleymane Bah and that Thia’nguel was never identified as Mr. Bah during the trial.
He further argued that Bah should have opposed the decision of the national court if he felt he was the same person, and moreover, the nickname was not indicated as a party to any contract with an international organisation as claimed. The Respondent therefore asked the Court to dismiss all the claims of Bah and award costs in its favour.
Concerning Bah’s request for the Court to compel the Attorney-General of Guinea to give evidence before the Court, the Court noted that the facts and evidence before it did not establish a connection between Mr. Bah, the indictment and or the said judgment from the national court, and therefore dismissed his application.
However, the Court ordered the Guinean government to refrain from arresting or detaining Mr. Souleymane Bah in relation to Judgment No 3 of 9th January, 2018, following the government’s earlier submission that “the criminal Judgment n° 03 of 09/01/2018 of the Tribunal of First instance of Dixinn did not target Mr Souleymane BAH”.
The Court dismissed all other claims after noting that ‘the so-called Thia’nguel was never formally identified at any of the judicial stages’ and therefore Mr. Bah cannot claim his rights were violated because he was neither served any notice of action, nor given opportunity to defend himself, and he could not have appealed or challenge the default judgment of the national court as Mr. Souleymane Bah.
Furthermore, Judgment no 03 of 9th January 2018, could not have caused Mr Bah, the termination of his contract because the agreement between the parties allowed for the possibility of non-renewal of the said contract.
The Court also dismissed Mr. Bah’s claim for compensation on the grounds that media report which is not a usual channel of court communication cannot be taken as a court process.
It awarded a symbolic 10,000 CFA Francs as cost in favour of the State of Guinea.
Also on the three-member panel were Honourable Justices Gbéri-Bè Ouattara(presiding) and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves (member).
COURT DISMISSES CLAIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST GUINEA, AMID CLAIMS OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Obasanjo Unveils Bold Blueprint for Africa’s Security Overhaul, Warns Against New Scramble
By: Michael Mike
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a sweeping and urgent call for a radical overhaul of Africa’s security architecture, warning that the continent risks deeper instability and renewed external domination unless it urgently redefines its approach to security, governance, and intelligence.
Speaking at the third Mashariki Cooperation Conference III (MCC III), Obasanjo challenged Africa’s intelligence chiefs and security leaders to abandon outdated frameworks and embrace a people-focused, technologically independent, and accountable system capable of confronting modern threats.
Delivering a hard-hitting address on “Emerging Geopolitical Dynamics and Africa’s Security Architecture,” the elder statesman argued that Africa’s persistent conflicts are not accidental but stem from “specific, identifiable failures of leadership,” compounded by what he described as intensifying external manipulation.
“We are witnessing the fracturing of the post-1945 multilateral order,” Obasanjo said, pointing to the global fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and contrasting international responses to crises in regions such as Gaza and the Sahel. According to him, these inconsistencies expose a global system that applies its rules selectively—often at Africa’s expense.
A Continent Under Pressure
Obasanjo painted a stark picture of a continent caught in a renewed geopolitical contest, warning of a “new scramble for Africa.” He cited expanding foreign influence through initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the growing footprint of Russian-linked security actors across the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Western forces from key conflict zones.
These developments, he said, have coincided with a surge in terrorism, violent extremism, and an alarming wave of military takeovers across the continent since 2020—what he described as a “coup epidemic.”
Five Pillars for a New Security Order
In response, Obasanjo outlined five concrete propositions aimed at reshaping Africa’s security framework:
• Human-centred security: Prioritising the safety and welfare of citizens over elite interests.
• Continental solidarity: Strengthening joint mechanisms such as the African Standby Force and early warning systems.
• Disrupting illicit financing: Empowering intelligence agencies to tackle financial flows that sustain insecurity.
• Technological sovereignty: Building African capacity in artificial intelligence, cyber defence, and drone warfare.
• Accountable governance: Establishing transparent leadership as the foundation of lasting security.
He stressed that without credible governance, no military or intelligence strategy can succeed.
Intelligence at the Core
Central to Obasanjo’s message was a forceful critique of Africa’s use of intelligence. He described intelligence as “indispensable to conflict prevention” but “woefully underused,” citing missed warning signs in past crises across Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.
He urged the creation of a truly integrated continental intelligence network, beginning with stronger regional cooperation, and insisted that effectiveness must be anchored in professionalism and civilian oversight.
“Intelligence services that operate with integrity… and are subordinate to civilian authority are not weaker—they are stronger,” he declared.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
In a rare moment of reflection, Obasanjo drew from his own involvement in major African peace efforts, including Nigeria-led interventions under ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and mediation roles in Burundi and Zimbabwe. He argued that successful conflict resolution has always depended on “accurate intelligence, courageous honesty, and selfless leadership.”
He also introduced his “Obasanjo 55+20 Leadership Framework,” a structured model outlining 55 measurable leadership attributes and 20 core values. At its heart, he said, lies “courageous honesty”—the willingness of leaders to confront uncomfortable truths.
A Final Warning
Addressing an audience that included Noordin Mohamed Haji and intelligence heads from across Africa, Obasanjo closed with a stark warning and a challenge.
At nearly 90, he said his decades of experience have shown both Africa’s promise and its recurring failures.
“Africa’s conflicts are not inevitable,” he said. “They are the product of leadership choices. What is required now is the will—and the courage and audacity—to choose differently.”
His message was unmistakable: without decisive reforms, Africa risks remaining a battleground for external powers; with them, it has a chance to secure its future on its own terms.
Obasanjo Unveils Bold Blueprint for Africa’s Security Overhaul, Warns Against New Scramble
Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has intensified its push to attract diaspora-driven investments, with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, declaring that the country is fully open and prepared for business.
Speaking in Silicon Valley, California, at a high-level pre-event dinner ahead of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26), Dabiri-Erewa assured global investors—particularly Nigerians in the diaspora—that Nigeria offers vast and untapped investment opportunities across sectors.
The event, hosted at Santa Clara University, brought together top African and global stakeholders under the theme: “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is deliberately positioning its diaspora as a strategic economic force, leveraging their expertise, capital, and global networks to accelerate national development.
She highlighted ongoing reforms and investment-friendly policies under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the government is creating an enabling environment for diaspora participation in critical sectors, including technology, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.
According to her, the focus is shifting from remittances to structured, long-term investments capable of driving sustainable economic growth and innovation.
“The Nigerian diaspora remains one of our strongest assets,” she said, stressing that deeper engagement would unlock transformative opportunities for both the country and its global citizens.
The NIDCOM boss also commended Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network, for convening the platform and fostering cross-continental partnerships.
Beyond the dinner, Dabiri-Erewa held a working session with Nigerian professionals in the United States, many of whom expressed readiness to collaborate with NIDCOM on initiatives aimed at national development.
The engagements attracted a diverse mix of African and American leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers, reinforcing a growing consensus on the need to build stronger bridges between Africa and the global technology ecosystem.
The gathering underscored a shared commitment to moving beyond traditional remittance flows toward impactful investments that can shape Africa’s economic future.
Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”
Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has issued a stern warning to residents against aiding or providing any form of support to Boko Haram, as intensified military operations target suspected logistics hubs in the North-East.
The warning comes in the wake of recent air operations by the Operation Hadin Kai, which struck the Jilli general area in Gubio Local Government Area on April 11, 2026.
Jilli, a border community linking Borno and Yobe states, has come under scrutiny as a suspected conduit for insurgent activities. According to the governor, the Jilli market—alongside the nearby Gazabure market—had been officially shut down by the state government five years ago due to security concerns.
“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out on Jilli market,” Zulum said, describing the location as a “notorious hub” allegedly exploited by insurgents and their supply chains.
He revealed ongoing high-level consultations with the Yobe State Government and military leadership, underscoring a coordinated regional approach to tackling insurgency and preventing the resurgence of rebel strongholds along state borders.
Zulum emphasized that any decision to reopen markets or resettle communities in conflict-affected zones is taken only after thorough security assessments and in collaboration with the military and other agencies.
Reaffirming his administration’s stance, the governor said protecting civilians remains paramount, while also stressing that individuals found aiding insurgents—whether through shelter, information, or logistics—would face serious consequences.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security forces by sharing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation is critical to dismantling insurgent networks and restoring lasting peace in the region.
Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market
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