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Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
By: Michael Mike
The ECOWAS Court of Justice will on December 7, 2023 deliver its ruling on interim measures in a case between the State of Niger and seven others, and the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and two others.
The Court fixed the date after hearing both parties during its sitting held on Monday, November 21, 2023 at its Seat in Abuja/
At the hearing, the applicants represented by their lawyers Mr Moukaila Yaye and five others argued that the sanctions imposed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS have adverse effect on the Nigerien people including shortage of food, medicine and electricity, due to the closure of borders and cut off of electricity supply by Nigeria.
They asked the Court for interim court orders that will compel the Authority of Heads of State and Government to immediately suspend the sanctions.
They said that the respondents overreacted by imposing the sanctions which were not successive, and that Niger was treated unequally and unfairly compared to the other three member states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea) that also experienced coup d’état in recent years.
The applicants also asked the Court to declare its competence to examine the case and declare the application admissible in accordance with the Court’s texts.
The respondents namely the Authority of Heads of State, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Commission represented by Mr François Kanga-Penond raised an objection of inadmissibility of the application and asked the Court to reject the request of the applicants.
Kanga-Penond told the Court that coup d’état was not recognised in a democracy and that the junta does not have legal capacity to bring a case before the Court adding that, the democratically elected President has a pending case before the Court in which he is challenging the legitimacy of this same junta.
He emphasised that the lack of legal capacity of the junta to approach the Court restraints the Court from examining their request for interim measures.
In the initiating application, the applicants – the State of Niger, six Nigerien organisations and a Nigerien national asked the Court to declare the measures taken by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS during its extraordinary sessions of July 30 and August 10, 2023, allegedly aimed at restoring constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, illegal.
They requested the Court to nullify all decisions of these ECOWAS organs imposing sanctions, including the decision to resort to military intervention in the Republic of Niger.
The panel of three judges on the bench is composed of: Hon. Judge Edward Amoako Asante, President, Hon. Judge Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge Rapporteur/Member
Hon. Judge Dupe Atoki, Member.
Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal oil bunkering site in Abessa Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on April 21 by troops of 103 Battalion (Mechanised) during an anti-illegal bunkering operation.
At the site, troops reportedly found four small drum ovens, 50 sacks containing crude oil estimated at about 3,000 litres, and two waste pits used for illegal refining activities.
The sources said the recovered items were handled in accordance with Operation DELTA SAFE directives.
Authorities added that operations to dismantle illegal refining camps and disrupt crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta region are ongoing.
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Achida community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State have successfully repelled a bandit attack, in what has been described as a rare display of coordinated community self-defence.
Security and local sources said the incident occurred when armed bandits stormed the community, but were met with stiff resistance from residents and local vigilante groups who mobilised quickly to confront the attackers.
The villagers reportedly engaged the assailants directly, forcing them to retreat after a brief confrontation.
During the encounter, one of the suspected bandits was neutralised by the community defence group, while others fled with possible injuries.
The sources commended the courage and unity of the residents, particularly the vigilante members, for their swift response in defending their community against the attack.
Security authorities are expected to continue patrols and follow-up operations in the area to prevent further incidents and track fleeing suspects.
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, has commissioned the Umuhu-Okabia Health Centre in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the Nigerian Army Intervention Projects.
The COAS was represented at the event on April 22 by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. O.A. Fadairo.
Security sources said the commissioning ceremony was well attended by dignitaries, including the representative of the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Maj.-Gen. V.D. Beryo, and the Chief Host, Maj.-Gen. K.O. Ukandu, alongside royal fathers and other invited guests.
The newly commissioned health facility is part of the Nigerian Army’s civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services in local communities.
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
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