News
ECOWAS Court Orders Guinea to Pay Compensation for Violation of Citizen’s Right of Life and Integrity
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
News
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
By: Zagazola Makama
Less than 24 hours after three Fulani youths were reportedly killed in an attack in Plateau state, another youth has allegedly been killed and one abducted in targeted attack in Riyom LGA by Birom Militia.
Security and local informants told Zagazola Makama that the latest incident occurred on Feb. 21 in Jol community, where suspected Birom militia members attacked herders, killing one Muhammed Sani, while another victim, identified as Faruq Jamilu, was abducted. An unspecified number of cattle were also reportedly killed or injured during the assault.
The development came barely a day after three youths Tahiru Muhammad, Jibrin Salisu and Abdulmumin Isyak were said to have been ambushed and killed on Feb. 19 while returning from Dorowan Babuje in Barkin Ladi area.
Zagazola report that the earlier attack occurred at about 7:00 p.m. near Jong Fulani community. Sources alleged that the victims were intercepted by armed Birom Militia assailants, and security personnel later recovered spent cartridges and a motorcycle and a bottle of alcohol otherwise known as Goskolo at the scene.
Community representatives alleged that the succession of incidents reflected sustained pattern of attacks targeting pastoral settlements and livestock in parts of the state in recent months.
Zagazola report that repeated cases of attacks and killing, cattle poisoning, rustling and arson had heightened tensions and triggered fears of reprisals across the affected areas while the state government and concerned authorities have done little or nothing to fish out the perpetrators.
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Former CP David Danjuma Auta dies at Air Force Military Hospital, Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
A retired Commissioner of Police, CP David Danjuma Auta (Rtd), JP, KSM, KSS, has died.
He passed away on Feb. 19, 2026, at the Air Force Military Hospital, Jos, after a brief illness.
Born on June 11, 1941, CP Auta enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on Feb. 26, 1962, and served in several capacities, culminating as Commissioner of Police in Ogun State before retiring on Feb. 26, 1997.
He hailed from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He is survived by his wife and seven children. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue, and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Former CP David Danjuma Auta dies at Air Force Military Hospital, Jos
Five killed, house burnt in cross-border communal attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Five persons have been killed and a house razed following a late-night attack on Azoke village in Ado Local Government Area of Benue.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 19 when suspected assailants from Akparata community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi allegedly invaded the village.
The victims were identified as Nwefuru Elu, Nwefuru Agnes, Nwali Nworie Christianana, Obasi Nwode and Nwozo Nwode.
It was gathered that the attackers also set ablaze a house belonging to one Elumu Nwokwo during the assault, heightening tension in the area.
Security personnel who responded to a distress alert visited the scene and documented evidence as part of preliminary investigation.
Authorities said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible, while further investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Residents were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as measures were being intensified to prevent escalation of violence in the area.
Five killed, house burnt in cross-border communal attack in Benue
APC conducts congress in 17 local councils in Yobe
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Police arrest officer previously at large over missing firearms in Riyom Division in Plateau
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
