News
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).
Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack
By: Zagazola Makama
At least eight persons have been confirmed dead following an armed attack on Nindama village in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Sources said that the attack occurred in the early hours of Oct. 10.
The sources said that unknown gunmen invaded the village around 3:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and killing eight residents.
“Two other persons sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving treatment, while six others are still missing,” the sources said.
He said that at about 3:30 p.m., a combined team of security agencies including army, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) visited the scene along with the Executive Chairman of Kokona LGA, Hon. Agbawu M. Agbawu.
According to the sources, the corpses have been evacuated to the mortuary, while efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons and apprehend the attackers.
Preliminary investigation, sources said, indicated that the attack may have been connected to a lingering land dispute in the area.
The security forces assured residents of intensified security patrols and urged anyone with useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack
News
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
By: Zagazola Makama
A search-and-rescue operation has been launched to secure the release of a road construction worker abducted by gunmen in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred at about 7:14 p.m. on Thursday along the Kunduru–Kadanya feeder road, when unknown assailants reportedly laid an ambush and kidnapped one Kabiru Bature, a 35-year-old driver attached to Stantech Road Construction Company.
The sources said that security forces were immediately mobilised to the area, blocked all potential escape routes, and initiated a cordon-and-search operation aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators.
The troops have been deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers, believed to have fled into the surrounding forest.
Efforts were ongoing as of the time of filing this report to rescue the victim safely and bring the abductors to justice.
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Konduga
By: Zagazola Makama
The Troops of Operation HADIN KAI , in collaboration with police tactical teams and local hunters, have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Goni Dinari village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the attack occurred at about 5:56 a.m. on Friday when suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded the village and set some houses ablaze.
The troops immediately alerted, leading to a swift joint response by troops, police tactical teams, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters.
“The attack was successfully repelled and normalcy has since been restored to the area,”sources said.
Troops had deployed to the village for confidence-building patrols, while monitoring and surveillance operations continued.
Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Konduga
Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack
Bandit abduct road construction worker in Katsina as security forces intensify search and rescue
Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Konduga
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
