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ECOWAS COURT DELIVERS JUDGMENT IN MELVILLE ROBERTS V THE GAMBIA CASE, UPHOLDS CITIZEN’S RIGHT TO WORK
ECOWAS COURT DELIVERS JUDGMENT IN MELVILLE ROBERTS V THE GAMBIA CASE, UPHOLDS CITIZEN’S RIGHT TO WORK
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on 3 December 2024 upheld the right to work of a Gambian lawyer and diplomat Mr Melville Roberts but dismissed his claims regarding violations of his rights to presumption of innocence, fair trial, and human dignity including freedom from mental torture.
In the initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/65/21 the Applicant, Mr Roberts, through his lawyers Messrs Femi Falana and Marshal Abubakar alleged that he was subjected to smears and a “media trial” following accusations of rape by women with whom he had prior relationships. He contended that the smear campaign and media trial by state and non-state actors, and his suspension from the Gambian Foreign Service violated his rights to presumption of innocence, fair trial, work, and freedom from mental torture.
The lawyers for Mr Roberts filed for default judgment after the Respondent, The Gambia, failed to respond to the Application within the stipulated time under the Rules of the Court.
In its findings, the Court noted that statements made by an alleged government official on his private social media account condemning rape and calling for an investigation into the allegations cannot be attributed to The Gambia. The Court concluded that “the Applicant’s claim that the Respondent violated his rights to a fair trial, dignity and freedom from torture or degrading treatment through a media trial is not well founded as the said media trial cannot be attributed to the Respondent.”
On the alleged violation of his rights to presumption of innocence, equality and work, the Court held that Mr Roberts’ suspension during the investigation into the rape allegations was a standard administrative practice and did not amount to a violation of his rights. However, the Court found that the prolonged delay of about four years by the state in acting on the Investigation Report violated his right to work as it hindered his ability to earn a living. It therefore ordered The Gambia to pay 10,000 USD in the equivalent of its local currency as compensation for the violation of the Applicant’s right to work. The Court also ordered The Gambia to take a definitive action on the prolonged criminal investigations of the Applicant, either by initiating prosecution or formally discontinuing the criminal processes against him.
Both parties were directed to bear their own legal costs.
The panel of the Court that heard the case were Honourable Justices Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Goncalves (presiding), Dupe Atoki (panel member) and Edward Asante (judge rapporteur).
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons were injured on Monday following a clash between farmers and herders in Loko community, Nasarawa State.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred at about noon on Dec. 15 in Bakono village, Loko area, after a dispute over alleged damage to farmland.
The source said the farmland involved belonged to one Bako Usman.
According to the source, the clash resulted in injuries to five farmers and four herders.
Security forces stormed the scene to restore order, while the injured persons were rushed to the General Hospital, Loko, where they were admitted and are responding to treatment.
Sources said that a stakeholders’ meeting had been convened in the community to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
According to the sources, confidence-building patrols are ongoing, the situation is being closely monitored and the area remains relatively calm.
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
A soldier has been killed, while two others are missing following an attack on troops escorting farmers in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Monday during a security operation in a bush area of Takum, which has been prone to clashes involving militia elements.
The source said soldiers from a special forces unit along with police, NSCDC were deployed to provide security for Tiv farmers harvesting their farm produce when they were attacked by hoodlums suspected to be local militia in Taraba state.
According to the source, one soldiers was killed during the attack.
The source further disclosed that following the incident, soldiers cordoned off the venue of the Miyetti Allah executives’ election at the FGR Samsokwa Hall, in Takum, and arrested male executives of the association present at the venue. Though it was yet to establish if they were involved in the attack.
Another sources pointed accusing finger at the Taraba state special adviser on security allegedly to be behind the Militia. Though, Zagazola cannot independently verify the claim.
Meanwhile, security forces have arrested a group of suspected armed bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The suspects were caught with AK-47 rifles during an operation carried out on Friday.
After their arrest, the suspects were taken into custody. In a video that later surfaced online, the men were seen lying face down with their hands tied while security operatives questioned them about where they got the weapons.
One of the suspects alleged that some officials of the Kwara State government gave them both the vehicle and the rifles. He claimed they had been operating in the area under the cover of patrol duties.
According to him, the weapons did not belong to them personally. He said their leader collected the rifles and that they often went on patrol together with some individuals he mentioned by name. He insisted that the guns belonged to those officials.
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted five workers at a construction site along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Kwara State.
Zagazola report that the incident was reported at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday by Alhaji Suleiman Abdullah Olanrewaju, manager of Fix Contracting Engineering Company.
The source said Olanrewaju reported that the abduction occurred earlier in the day at about 11:40 a.m. while the workers were on site when the gunmen attacked and whisked them away.
Those abducted were identified as Engr. Ademola Afolabi, Engr. Umar Lade, Fatai and Akin, both labourers, as well as a driver identified as Yusuf.
According to the source, the complainant said he had earlier reported the incident to the military before notifying the police.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke mobilised a team of police operatives who linked up with the military and local vigilantes to comb the surrounding bushes in a bid to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing, while security agencies said further developments would be communicated.
End
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
Nine injured in farmers–herders clash in Nasarawa
Soldier killed as troops clash with suspected militia in Taraba
Gunmen abduct five workers at construction site in Kwara
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