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ECOWAS Court Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan to Deepen Justice, Regional Integration

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ECOWAS Court Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan to Deepen Justice, Regional Integration

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan designed to strengthen the rule of law, expand access to justice and deepen regional integration across West Africa.

The plan, which will run from 2026 to 2030, was officially launched on Friday in Abuja, where the leadership of the court outlined a bold vision to transform the institution into a more effective and accessible pillar of justice within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President of the court, Ricardo Goncalves, described the strategy as a decisive moment for the institution, saying it reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the court’s role in safeguarding justice and promoting stability across the region.

“This moment is not merely symbolic. Above all, it represents a turning point. It is a clear affirmation of our collective resolve to strengthen the role of the Court as a guarantor of the rule of law, a promoter of justice, and a vital pillar of regional integration in West Africa,” he said.

According to him, the new strategy outlines a shared vision focused on institutional transformation, operational efficiency and measurable impact on the lives of citizens within the ECOWAS community.

Goncalves emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on strong collaboration among judges, court staff and key regional stakeholders, stressing that each group has a critical role to play in achieving the objectives of the plan.

He charged judges of the court to reinforce the quality of jurisprudence, ensure consistency in judicial decisions and contribute to building a justice system that is accessible, timely and widely respected across member states.

The court president also highlighted the pivotal role of administrative staff, describing them as the backbone of the institution whose commitment to efficiency, case management and technical excellence would determine the effectiveness of the new framework.

Beyond internal reforms, he stressed the need for stronger partnerships with ECOWAS member states, regional institutions, legal practitioners, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure effective enforcement of court judgments and greater legal harmonisation across the region.

He noted that improved planning, transparency and a results-driven institutional culture would form the foundation of the strategy, which aims to reposition the court as a more visible and influential institution in regional governance.

In her welcome address, the Deputy Registrar of the court, Marie Saine, described the unveiling of the plan as the beginning of a renewed commitment to justice and service to the people of the ECOWAS region.

She explained that the Strategic Plan 2026–2030 was developed through extensive consultations, rigorous institutional review and forward-looking analysis to ensure that it responds effectively to emerging legal and governance challenges within West Africa.

Saine said the strategy is anchored on five key goals, including ensuring timely and impartial justice, expanding access to justice and legal empowerment, strengthening human rights protection and legal harmonisation, improving transparency and stakeholder engagement, and enhancing institutional capacity and governance.

She noted that the roadmap is both ambitious and pragmatic, providing clear priorities that will guide the court’s work over the next five years.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice serves as the judicial arm of the Economic Community of West African States, with the mandate to interpret community law, protect human rights and resolve disputes involving member states and institutions of the regional bloc.

Officials said the newly unveiled strategic framework replaces the court’s previous plan and is intended to position the institution to respond more effectively to evolving legal demands while strengthening its contribution to justice, peace and regional integration in West Africa.

ECOWAS Court Launches Five-Year Strategic Plan to Deepen Justice, Regional Integration

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.

Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.

Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.

The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.

The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.

Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.

The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.

“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.

However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.

“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”

In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.

“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.

The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

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