National News
ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights
ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights
By: Michael Mike
Hon Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice has emphasised the need for sensitisation of citizens on their (fundamental) rights.
He made the assertion during a courtesy visit of some Members of Parliament from Kenya National Assembly to the Seat of the Court.
The delegation led by Hon Peter Orero and made up of members of the Committee on Regional Integration of the 13th Parliament of the Kenya National Assembly said that the visit to the Court formed part of their weeklong study visit on the mode of operation of ECOWAS Institutions including the Court of Justice, and various departments in the ECOWAS Commission.
Hon Orero added that the committee embarked on a study visit of different economic blocks including the West African block – ECOWAS, and that they were at the Court to gain insight on its operations, judicial activities and programmes.
In his remarks, Justice Asante commended the delegation for the initiative while noting the importance of such discussions and experience sharing.
Justice Asante gave an overview of the Court from inception and stressed the success recorded by the Court with the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Court in 2005 with the amendment of the 1991 Protocol on the Court.
He explained that the 2005 Protocol allowed individuals to access the Court and empowered the Court to examine certain cases of human rights violation occurring in the region.
In addition, President Asante indicated that the Court has jurisdiction to rule on disputes relating to the free movement of goods and persons, and the right of establishment. Referring to an instance in Ghana when there was an alleged breach of freedom of establishment, he lamented that such matter was not brought before the Court.
“The Court only examines cases brought before it for determination. Whereas citizens and organisations have not approached the Court to enforce their rights in relation to regional integration laws, due to lack of awareness of the existence of the laws and their rights.”
He attributed the situation to lack of knowledge of the laws and their application, adding that “there is need for education of citizens on ECOWAS Laws and their rights.”
He also elaborated on various ECOWAS Laws aimed at strengthening regional integration including Immigration laws and Customs laws.
He said that the Court carries out media programmes and sensitisation missions in Member States aimed at creating awareness about the Court, its activities and how to access it.
Regarding judicial activities, Justice Asante stated that to examine cases brought before the Court, he ensures that they are translated into the three official languages of the Community which are English, French and Portuguese in order to allow each judge to work in his or her own language. He added that judges do everything possible to conclude cases as quickly as possible.
On the issue of funding, he said ECOWAS institutions including the Court are funded from the Community levy contributed by Member States and that the Court is independent in its judicial functions.
Similarly, Hon Justice Gberi-Be Ouattara, Vice President of the Court added that the Court is committed to removing all obstacles to economic integration in the West African Region, particularly in matters of human rights protection. He gave an instance with a case law on slavery and women’s right to inheritance in which the Court ruled that slavery is prohibited and women have right to inheritance. He added that any of the 15 countries or institutions can approach the Court.
Other Judges present were Justices Sengu Mohamed Koroma and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.
The meeting ended with exchange of gifts on both sides and a photo session. The delegation also visited the courtroom.
The Kenya delegation led by Hon Peter Orero comprised Hon Rael Kosiwai, Hon Peter Salasya, and Hon Jimale Mohammed.
Also in attendance were Ms Rose Chemas and Mr James Nyongesa from the Kenya High Commission in Abuja, and Mr Anthony Ogunjimi from ECOWAS Commission.
ECOWAS Court President Advocates Citizen Sensitization on their Rights
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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