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ECOWAS Court Orders Guinea to Pay Compensation for Violation of Citizen’s Right of Life and Integrity

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ECOWAS Court Orders Guinea to Pay Compensation for Violation of Citizen’s Right of Life and Integrity

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of justice has ordered the State of Guinea to pay 269,000,000 Guinean Francs as compensation for emotional harm for the violation of the right to life and integrity to the Applicant whose son was fatally injured during a protest in Labe in Guinea.

The Court also ordered that the Respondent pays the Applicant 44.000, 000 as damages in the same currency.

Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, delivered the judgment on Monday on behalf of the Panel which held that the Respondent had violated the fundamental right of the Applicant under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and other fundamental human rights treaties.

The Applicant, Mamadou Mouctar Balde, had filed a claim before the Court alleging the violation of his son Amadou Balde’s right to life. He averred that the son died from a fatal injury sustained during a riot at the University of Labe, where the Respondent’s agents were maintaining law and order. The Applicant asserted that the Respondent acknowledged the death of his son but failed to fulfill its obligations under international law. In view of these claims, Applicant sought for a declaration of violation under Article 4 of the ACHPR, along with monetary compensation and costs.

The Respondent acknowledged that the death of the Applicant’s son but denied responsibility, claiming its agents had a lawful mandate. It averred that an investigation was initiated and prosecution followed but was halted after a fire incident at the Court of First Instance in Labé, destroying case documents. The Respondent argued that it has made efforts to reconstruct the file since this incidence. It contended that it has not violated the Applicant’s human rights and requested that the Court declare the application inadmissible in form, and on the merit, dismiss the claim for lack of evidence.

It prayed for costs in cause.

The Court cited that the issue of a death was not contended rather the contention was whether a violation had occurred and the responsibility of the Respondent in this instance. The Court emphazed that states have a duty to safeguard the right to life during protests. Consequently, it concluded that Amadou Balde’s death in the Labe protest constitutes a violation under Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights.

The Court also found that the Respondent’s claim of lack of documents to continue the trial after the fire incident unacceptable, as there is no evidence supporting this assertion. The Court held that, based on the available facts and evidence, the Respondent failed in its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights. This is due to the fact that the act of the violation of the right to life is attributable to the Respondent.

The Court therefore made orders that the Respondent pays Two Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million Guinean Francs (269,000,000 GNF) as compensation for emotional harm and Forty- Four Million Guinean Francs (44,000,000 GNF) as damages to the Applicant.

The Panel also consisted of Hon. Justice Gbéri-bè Ouattara, presiding and Dupe Atoki (Member).

ECOWAS Court Orders Guinea to Pay Compensation for Violation of Citizen’s Right of Life and Integrity

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Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”

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Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”

By: Zagazola Makama

Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has again recounted his past life of crime and subsequent spiritual transformation, attributing his change to his Christian faith.

Dachomo made the disclosure during a religious gathering, where he shared his personal testimony of repentance and renewal.

“I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel in this village, a wanderer in this village. That is my testimony,” he said.

The pastor also claimed involvement in criminal activities in his earlier years.

“When I say 1980, it is our gang that robbed a bank, and the person that led that operation is my best friend,” he said.

He explained that his life took a new direction after he embrace Jesus during the robbery.

“When I submitted myself to Jesus, who is my Saviour, I allowed Him to control my life, and Jesus forgave my sin. I am a new person in Christ Jesus,” he said.

However, Dachomo has come under relentless attacks with many asking the authorities to investigate his confession and prosecuting him for his past criminality.

They accused him of infighting fire in the already existing crises between farmers and herders in the state especially when he was openly heard asking the youths to go to WAR.

Reverend Dachomo insist “I was a notorious criminal in this village, a drug cartel… but I found Jesus”

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Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna

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Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a cattle rustling attempt and recovered 84 livestock in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A military source said the operation was carried out by troops of 4 Division Demonstration Battalion deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Dumbi.

The source disclosed that the troops responded at about 5:30 a.m. on March 27 to credible intelligence on cattle rustling activities at Pan Daudu settlement.

“Following the information, troops swiftly mobilised and laid ambush at a suspected crossing point between Lamban Zango and Monday Market in Igabi Local Government Area,” the source said.

He added that the suspected rustlers, on approaching the ambush site, abandoned the livestock and fled the scene.

“The terrorists, upon sighting the troops’ position, fled in disarray, abandoning 84 rustled livestock,” he said.

According to him, the recovered animals were subsequently handed over to their rightful owners.

Troops foil cattle rustling, recover 84 livestock in Kaduna

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Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno

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Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested 14 suspects during a cordon-and-search operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

Sources said the operation, conducted by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected terrorist and kidnapper identified as Baba Ali.

The sources disclosed that the operation took place at about 2:20 p.m. on March 25 at Ngurosoye village, where the suspect was being tracked through intercepted communications.

During the operation, troops apprehended 14 suspects at the location where the tracked calls were received.

Two bags of fertiliser, suspected to be for illicit use, were also recovered from the scene.

The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.

Troops arrest 14 suspects in cordon-and-search operation in Borno

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