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ECOWAS Court Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Transfer Nigerian Serving Jail Term in America to Nigeria’s Prison
ECOWAS Court Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Transfer Nigerian Serving Jail Term in America to Nigeria’s Prison
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has declared it lacks jurisdiction and dismissed all the requests made by one Richard Ugbah, a Nigerian who asked the Court to order his transfer from the United States, where he is serving a 12-year imprisonment for wire fraud, in order to complete the remainder of his sentence in his home country.
In the suit No: ECW/CCJ/ APP/ 18/21, filed in the Court, the Applicant, Richard Ugbah, who was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment having been found guilty of wire fraud by a US Court on 14/2/2017 asked the ECOWAS Court to order for his transfer to Nigeria, having satisfied the requirements for such a transfer.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, the Court declared that it lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In dispensing with the issues, the Court held as to admissibility, that the Second Respondent, the Ministry of justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a proper party before this Court. However, it upheld the Preliminary Objection raised by the First Respondent, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and declared the claims before it as unfounded and without legal basis. Consequently, it dismissed all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.
In the Initiating Application, the Applicant averred that he is Nigerian citizen resident in the US who was convicted by District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin after he pleaded guilty on one count of wire fraud on 14/2/17 and was sentenced to twelve (12) years imprisonment.
He had also pleaded guilty on 15th November 2017 on another count of conspiracy to commit fraud and judgment was entered on 22/11/17.
The Applicant further stated that having served eight years of the sentence, he is due for release on 8th May, 2026.
He urged the Court to issue the orders having satisfied the conditions for transfer to complete the term in Nigeria in line with the provision of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Handbook on the International Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
He also averred that the transfer of sentenced persons is seen to be an important means of co-operation to prevent and combat crimes, which is the purpose of the United Nations convention against illicit traffic in Narcotic drugs and psychotic substances of 1998, the United Nations Convention against corruption and the United Nations Convention against Transnational organized crime.
The Applicant further asserted that all three conventions mentioned above, refer to the possibility of concluding agreements to facilitate the transfer of persons convicted abroad for the offences covered by the conventions to another state to complete their sentence.
The Respondent, Federal Republic of Nigeria, filed a Preliminary Objection contending that the Applicant’s Initiating Application is incompetent having regard to Article 9 and 10 of the Supplementary Protocol (A/SP./01/05). They added that the 2nd Respondent, the Ministry of Justice is neither a Community Institution nor a signatory to the Economic Community of the West African States Treaty.
The Respondent further claimed that the Honourable Court lacks the Jurisdiction to entertain the suit, and therefore urged the Court to strike out the notice of registration for want of jurisdiction and lack of cause of action.
In its decision, the Court recognized that both parties wanted to remove the Second Respondent from the case, arguing that it was an improper party. The Court struck out the Second Respondent on this basis.
The Court also stated that the Applicant hasn’t shown a valid reason for their complaint against the Respondent.
The Court also found that the matter of competence is a legal issue and the argument presented by the Applicant has no legal basis vesting the Court with the authority to hear and determine the case. As a result, it dismissed the claim and upheld the Respondent’s Preliminary Objection.
The other judges on the panel were Justices Dupe Atoki (Presiding) and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves (Member).
ECOWAS Court Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Transfer Nigerian Serving Jail Term in America to Nigeria’s Prison
News
Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online
Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online
By:Bodunrin kayode
There has been urgent calls on the Federal, government with the military might to take swift action to rescue the 176 abducted residents of woro community back to safety away from captivity.
This came about after a disturbing video clip showing captured residents of the recent attack in Woro community, Kaiama council Area of Kwara State, surfaced online.
In the video, several women and young children, including infants, were paraded by the terrorists looking distressed and helpless.
A voice believed to be that of one of the attackers was heard behind the camera speaking in Hausa and questioning the victims about their numbers and were they were captured because they were quite a handful.
During the question and answer session the women and children responded that they were taken from Woro in Kaiama council so that their relations will know they are still alive.
“When asked how many they were, they answered that they were 176 in number. The same question was repeated to another woman in the video to confirm the figure.
” The person behind the camera also claimed that authorities had earlier announced a lower number of victims and said the video was proof of the actual figure.
“The victims were abducted after armed attackers invaded Woro community on February 3, 2025. During the attack, many lives were lost and homes were destroyed.
” The emergence of this video has increased fear and concern among residents and families of the victims.
“The people of the area continue to hope for the safe return of their loved ones and a lasting solution to the security challenges.” Said a source from the state.
Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.
The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.
According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.
The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
By: Zagazola Makama
A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.
Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.
Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.
The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online
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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
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