News
ECOWAS Court Takes 64 Decisions in Year 2023

ECOWAS Court Takes 64 Decisions in Year 2023
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has recorded yet another milestone in the number of decisions delivered in 2023.
Statistics from the Court’s Registry Department have indicated that 64 decisions comprising 59 judgments and 5 rulings were delivered in 2023, a remarkable progress from 41 judgments rendered in 2022 and 2021 consecutively. This is highest number of judgments delivered in a year since the court’s inception in 2001.
In his New Year message, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court said the remarkable feat was an attestation to the diligence of the college of judges supported by “staff’s commitment, collaboration and focus”.
“The other indices are also encouraging as we succeeded in reducing the number of pending cases to 165 at the end of 2023 compared to 180 at the end of 2022,” he added.
Justice Asante also enjoined staff to brace up to an anticipated increase in number of human rights cases that may be filed before the Court following unrest in the sub-region including attempted coups in Member States.
He expressed optimism that the Court will exceptionally deliver on its mandate in 2024 considering the recent additional recruitments and promotions to boost the productivity and performance of the Court.
From its inception in 2001, the Court has delivered 402 judgments on a total of 678 cases filed within the same period.
The statistics also indicated that since inception, the Court has held 1440 court proceedings, and rendered 29 decisions on 41 applications for revision of judgment filed, while 168 cases including those filed at the beginning of 2024 are presently pending before it.
The Court which resumed activities on 8th of January, 2024 after its end of year break, will commence court sessions on 29th of January, 2024.
ECOWAS Court Takes 64 Decisions in Year 2023
News
Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing

Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Lagos has launched an investigation into the sudden and unnatural death of an 80-year-old Colombian national, Quesada Vanegas Ricardo Alfonso, whose lifeless body was discovered at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac Town.
According to a Police Sources, a distress call was received on May 1, alerting authorities to the discovery of the deceased at around 3:45 p.m. in his hotel room (No. C85) on the 8th floor of the hotel. The police team, including homicide detectives, was dispatched to the scene to examine the situation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had been staying at the hotel for more than four months before his death. No signs of violence or foul play were found on his body.
“The corpse was evacuated and transported to Mainland General Hospital morgue in Yaba, where it has been preserved for autopsy. The coroner’s inquest and other necessary procedures have been initiated, with the investigation ongoing.
“Furthermore, some hotel management staff were briefly taken into custody for failing to maintain proper records of their guests. They have since been released as part of the investigation.
“The police assured that thorough investigation will continue to determine the cause of death,”said the sources.
Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing
Man kills replacement herder in Niger over job loss
By Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly killing his replacement over a dispute linked to job loss in Malale village, Borgu Local Government Area.
According to a Police Sources, the incident occurred on April 30 at about 12:30 p.m. and was reported to the Malale Police Outstation by the village head, Mallam Musa Abubakar, and one Usman Iliyasu of Tungan-Sule.
Usman Iliyasu told police that he had employed Usman Mohammed as a cattle herder two years ago but sacked him in February 2025 after accusing him of stealing money while he was away on pilgrimage to Mecca.
Subsequently, Iliyasu hired one Ibrahim Salisu, 40, of the same address to replace him.
“The sacked herder, Usman Mohammed, reportedly attacked Ibrahim Salisu with a cutlass, inflicting fatal injuries and accusing him of taking over his job. The victim died on the spot,” said the police sources.
He said Police officers from the New-Bussa Division visited the scene, photographed the corpse, and evacuated it to the General Hospital, New-Bussa, for autopsy.
The suspect was immediately arrested, and an investigation is currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Man kills replacement herder in Niger over job loss
Crime
Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt

Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed 11 persons in coordinated attacks across three communities in Gwadabawa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, sources confirmed on Saturday that the attacks occurred on May 2 at about 7:30 p.m.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants, in large numbers, stormed Satiru Village and killed five people. They then proceeded to Kunkurus Village, where they killed one person, and later attacked Shadawa community in Sabon Birni LGA, where they shot five more victims dead.
In response to the attacks, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Sokoto Community Guards jointly responded to the attacks in the affected areas.
On their arrival, the terrorists had already fled.
The troops are currently trailing the terrorists
Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics9 months ago
Kashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident