News
ECOWAS Court Dismisses Discrimination Claim in Recruitment Case
ECOWAS Court Dismisses Discrimination Claim in Recruitment Case
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice on 13 May 2025 delivered its judgment in the matter of Mariame Kone-Toure v. ECOWAS Commission (Application No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/24 ruling against the Applicant, who had challenged the fairness of the recruitment process for the position of Head of Administration and Human Resources Division (P5) at the Court. The Court dismissed the applicant’s claims of discrimination in a recruitment process as unsubstantiated.
Case Background
The Applicant, Mariame Kone-Toure, a staff member of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenged the recruitment process for the position of Head of Administration and Human Resources Division (P5) at the Court. Having served in an acting capacity since February 2023, she applied for the post when it was advertised in May 2023. Following the interview conducted in January 2024, Ms. Amie Savage was appointed to the position in October 2024.
Ms. Kone-Toure alleged that the selection process violated principles of fairness and non-discrimination as outlined in the ECOWAS Staff Regulations. She argued that although she was one of the top candidates, the Management Succession Committee only recommended one candidate—Ms. Savage—unlike similar recruitments in other ECOWAS institutions, where multiple top candidates were recommended.
Court Findings
On jurisdiction, the Court affirmed its competence to hear the matter under Article 9(1)(f) of the 2005 Amended Protocol. On admissibility, the Court held that the Applicant had exhausted available internal remedies by appealing to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
On the merits, the Court examined allegations of discrimination under Article 4(1) and the principle of equitable geographical distribution under Article 9(2)(f) of the ECOWAS Staff Regulations. It found that the Applicant failed to provide sufficient, verifiable evidence of differential treatment in similar circumstances. The Court noted that while she referenced practices in other institutions, she did not present the names or scores of the candidates allegedly favored, preventing a meaningful comparative analysis.
On the claim regarding geographical distribution, the Court ruled that the principle applies only among equally qualified candidates and does not override the requirement of merit-based selection.
The Court accepted the Respondent’s argument that Ms. Savage was deemed the most qualified candidate for the position.
Court Decision
The Court dismissed all claims made by the Applicant, concluding that:
The recruitment process complied with the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.
No evidence of discrimination or procedural irregularity was established.
The Applicant’s non-selection was not a violation of her rights.
Judicial Panel
The judgment was rendered by a panel comprising:
Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (Presiding Judge)
Hon. Justice Dupe Atoki(Judge Rapporteur)
Hon. Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Member)
End
Elephant kills farmer in Ijebu East, Ogun community seeks government intervention
By: Zagazola Makama
A wild elephant has killed a farmer, identified as Mr. Kalamu, in Itasin-Imobi community, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident occurred on Monday, July 28, when the elephant reportedly invaded the victim’s farm and attacked him, leading to his death.
Residents told Zagazola Makama that the elephant had been a persistent threat in the area for over four years, frequently destroying farmlands and fishing equipment.
“This elephant keeps coming into our community to destroy our crops, damage our fishing nets, and now it has taken a life,” a resident said.
The community has since appealed to the Ogun State Government and relevant wildlife authorities to intervene urgently and prevent further loss of life and property.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Ogun State Ministry of Forestry or Environment.
Elephant kills farmer in Ijebu East, Ogun community seeks government intervention
Troops neutralise terrorists, recover logistics items in Bama, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered large quantities of logistics items following a successful ambush operation in Bula Daburu village, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the operation was part of Operation Desert Sanity IV aimed at disrupting terrorist supply networks.
Sources said that the operation was carried out at about 6:00 p.m. on Monday at a suspected Boko Haram crossing point
During the engagement, contact was made with terrorist logistics elements. The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray, abandoning their supplies.
Two terrorists were neutralised during the exchange, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
After the area was exploited, troops recovered eight bicycles, two 50kg bags of rice, 60 pieces of macaroni, 60 pairs of rubber shoes, 10 welding filing machines, and 12 mats.
Operation Desert Sanity IV is a renewed offensive by the Joint Task Force (North East) aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and cutting off their logistics corridors across the North East theatre.
Troops neutralise terrorists, recover logistics items in Bama, Borno
Troops foil IED-laying attempt by terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled an attempt by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Marte–Dikwa road in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama learnt from sources that the operation was part of renewed and sustained offensives directed by the military high command to deny terrorists freedom of action in the North East theatre.
The incident occurred at about 2:01 a.m. on Tuesday, when troops of Operation HADIN KAI positioned in an ambush along the strategic route, sighted a group of terrorists attempting to lay mines on a bridge.
The troops immediately engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their equipment and flee into the surrounding bush in disarray.
Two IEDs were recovered at the scene, while there were no casualties recorded among the troops.
Troops foil IED-laying attempt by terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road
Elephant kills farmer in Ijebu East, Ogun community seeks government intervention
Troops neutralise terrorists, recover logistics items in Bama, Borno
Troops foil IED-laying attempt by terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road
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