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
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 59 suspects during coordinated raids across major black spots and criminal hideouts in Abuja.
Sources revealed that the raids were conducted late Saturday by operatives from Apo, Kubwa, Karu, Karmo, Life Camp, Maitama, Wuse, Mabushi, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Zuba, and Tungan Maje Divisions.
The police said the operation targeted uncompleted buildings and identified criminal hideouts within the divisions’ areas of responsibility.
According to the sources, all suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, and those found culpable will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the command is also investigating an alleged suicide involving a 20-year-old labourer identified as Alfred Habila, from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Habila was reportedly found hanging in an uncompleted building behind River Park Estate, Lugbe, on Sunday morning.
A resident, Engr. Jatto Abdulkareem, told the police that he received a distress call from another resident, Joshua, who discovered the deceased’s body around 8 a.m.
Police operatives who visited the scene took photographs and conveyed the victim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy and preservation, while investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Sokoto State have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits on Mangwarori Kwandawa area of Isa town, Isa Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that
heavily armed bandits invaded the community, shooting sporadically in an attempt to penetrate the town.
According to the sources , troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA army responded swiftly and engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted several minutes.
The superior firepower of the security forces forced the attackers to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that four civilians sustained minor injuries from stray bullets during the exchange, while no casualties were recorded among security personnel.
Security operatives are currently conducting bush combing operations to trace the fleeing bandits, while adjoining divisions have been placed on alert to block possible escape routes.
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is currently meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, following reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, is aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that has triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
According to the source, the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
Zagazola reports that Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, though claims of a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria have been circulating in some right-wing U.S. circles in recent months.
However, independent monitoring groups and analysts have noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry in the country, with no evidence of a targeted campaign against one faith.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Electoral officer rescued as one killed, others injured in Kontagora election violence
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
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