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).
Lake Chad Basin Commission Hosts Gov. Buni To A Dinner
By: Mamman Mohammed
The Lake Chad Basin Commission has organized a dinner in honour of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State and Chairman Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN.
Gov. Buni assured that the Forum would continue providing the political will to support the commission achieve its mandate of strengthening regional integration, security, stability and development of the region.
The Executive Secretary of Lake Chad Basin Commission, Amb. Nuhu Mamman, commended Gov. Buni for showing great commitment and support to the commission.
“This is a great indication of good things to come under your able leadership and, we appreciate this sense of inspiration your visit has provided us” he said.
Lake Chad Basin Commission Hosts Gov. Buni To A Dinner
Troops rescue kidnap victim, neutralise suspect in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
The Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade, under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a, have rescued a kidnap victim and neutralised one suspected kidnapper during a clearance operation in Mbulu community, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded to a distress call at about 6:40 p.m. on June 19, following credible intelligence about a kidnapping syndicate operating in the area.
The sources stated that one of the kidnappers was intercepted at a market while attempting to purchase food items for his gang.
“Following preliminary interrogation, the suspect led troops to the criminal hideout,” he said.
However, upon arrival at the location, the remaining gang members opened fire on the troops, prompting a swift response.
“In the exchange of fire, one kidnapper was neutralised while the others fled into the surrounding bush,” he stated.
Troops rescued one kidnapped victim during the operation. Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle and one locally made Dane gun.
The rescued victim is currently undergoing debriefing and will be reunited with his family, while pursuit of the fleeing criminals is ongoing.
Troops rescue kidnap victim, neutralise suspect in Bauchi
News
Borno State zero dose community of practice conducts final immunization scorecard validation round table
Borno State zero dose community of practice conducts final immunization scorecard validation round table
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Borno State Zero dose learning hub (ZDLH), in conjunction with a section of the community of practice (CoP) chaired by Dr Ali Gambo of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) recently conducted a media round table on the 2024 immunization budget.
The aim was to get inputs of partners and other stakeholders into the finalized immunization scorecard 2024 developed by the CoP with support of the Africa Health budget network (AFENET) in close collaboration with the Borno state primary Health Development Board BSPHDB and other partners in the state.
The 10 page scorecard was extensively discussed at the polio emergency operations centre (EOC) with stake holders making contributions based on their expertise towards a final document.
Such inputs from stakeholders towards a finalized document will be considered while tinkering the document that will be ready for public consumption when it would be used as an advocacy tool by CoP members in advocating for more support towards reducing the “zero dose” menace in the state.
While participants were pondering over expectations from participants especially on key findings from the AFENET which conducted Decentralised Immunization Monitoring (DIM), details were presented Dr Melton Musa who gave a lucid breakdown that watered the anxiety of participants.
Equally, a run down of CoP activities since inception to date was presented by the CoP Secretariat lead Adam Gujja who was equally supported by Dr Adamu of AHBN Borno.
Present at the occasion was the Borno state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Abdulkarim Haruna alongside key media partners who are active members of the CoP.
Also present was the Executive Secretary of the BSPHCDB represented by the Director finance and accounts (DFA) Ndapaniya Joseph, the Director Planning, Research and Statistics of the agency Yerwama Tijjani, his deputy Aisha Othman, the State Immunization officer Maina Modu and key (BSPHCDB)
staff.
Borno State zero dose community of practice conducts final immunization scorecard validation round table
Lake Chad Basin Commission Hosts Gov. Buni To A Dinner
Troops rescue kidnap victim, neutralise suspect in Bauchi
Borno State zero dose community of practice conducts final immunization scorecard validation round table
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