News
ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice, has delivered its decision in the case of Hassan Kargbo and seven others against the State of Sierra Leone.
The applicants brought an action before the ECOWAS Court of Justice against the State of Sierra Leone for serious violations of their fundamental rights during the tragic events that took place in Makeni in July 2020, particularly the violations of the right to security of the person, the right to life and the right to an effective remedy.
The events leading to this case took place on 17 and 18 July 2020, when a demonstration by young people was violently quelled by the Sierra Leone law enforcement.
According to the applicants, the army and police used live ammunition and tear gas against the demonstrators, causing deaths and serious injuries among unarmed civilians. Several victims, including Foday Kargbo, Mohamed Sillah and Alusine Sesay, died as a result of this crackdown.
The State of Sierra Leone neither appeared nor presented a defence. The Court delivered its judgment by default.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge-Rapporteur, the Court found that the State of Sierra Leone had violated the right to security of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah. Nonetheless, the Court found that the State had neither violated the right to life of the applicants, who were still alive, nor their right to an effective remedy.
As for the unarmed civilians who had lost their lives in the violence, the claim of the applicants who had presented themselves as their rightful heirs was declared inadmissible for failure to provide proof of their death and of their kinship with the victims.
Furthermore, the Court found that the State had failed in its obligation to conduct investigations into the events at Makeni.
As compensation for these violations, it ordered the State to pay USD 15,000 in damages to each of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah for violation of their right to security. It also enjoined the State to take measures to prevent the excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations and to conduct an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
The three-member panel of the Court were Honorable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge), Honorable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (judge-rapporteur) and Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (panel member).
Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared
By: Zagazola Makama
A train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna on Tuesday derailed after reportedly missing a point, Zagazola reports.
Details of the incident are still sketchy, and the number of fatalities or casualties could not be immediately ascertained.
Emergency responders and security agencies are said to be moving to the scene, while officials are yet to issue an official statement on the development.
Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared
Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa
By: Zagazola
The Police in Adamawa have launched a manhunt for a suspect alleged to have killed a villager over a dispute involving his wife in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred in Wuro Bakumbo village, where one Hamman Shomo allegedly attacked Hammadu Shagari with a knife following a quarrel.
It said the quarrel, which took place on Sunday, stemmed from Shomo’s suspicion that Shagari was having an affair with his wife, identified as 20-year-old Rabi Alim.
According to sources, Shagari initially escaped into the bush after the attack, but his lifeless body was discovered the next day, (Monday) lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on his back.
The sources said the scene was visited by police, documented, and the corpse evacuated to General Hospital, Numan, for autopsy.
The sources said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, while the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been detailed to carry out discreet investigation.
Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa
Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct man, wife and child in katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have killed a vigilante and abducted three members of a family in Katsina metropolis, the Police Command has confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at Filin Canada Quarters, behind Steel Rolling Mill.
The sources explained that the assailants broke into the residence of one Anas Ahmadu, and abducted him, his wife Halimatu, and their daughter, Jidda.
According to the sources, a vigilante member attached to the area, Abdullahi Muhammad, 25, was shot by the attackers while attempting to resist the abduction.
He was rushed to the General Hospital, Katsina, where he was confirmed dead.
Security operatives have been directed to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators, rescue the victims and restore normalcy in the area.
Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct man, wife and child in katsina
CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND EXTORTION FOILED, FAKE DOLLAR NOTES AND VEHICLE RECOVERED
Abuja–kaduna train derails with perssengers onboard, casualties feared
Man kills rival over alleged affair with wife in Adamawa
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