ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on Monday, 14 July 2025 adjourned for a ruling on an application for provisional measures brought by the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, and the preliminary objections raised by the Republic of Ghana. 

The initiating application with suit No.

ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25, filed by the Chief Justice of Ghana, sought a suspension of ongoing proceedings to remove her from office and her reinstatement with full entitlements, pending the determination of the substantive matter before the Court.

During the hearing, the Respondent requested that its jurisdictional objection be heard first as it pertains to the Court’s power to determine the request for provisional measures. It argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction and that the application was inadmissible since it concerned constitutional matters pending before competent domestic courts in Ghana, including its Supreme Court. 



The Respondent contended that allowing the ECOWAS Court to proceed would amount to forum shopping and could lead to conflicting decisions. It cited some decided cases where the Court declined jurisdiction over matters concurrently pending before national courts, affirming its principle of non-interference in ongoing domestic judicial processes. 

The Respondent added that the Chief Justice was duly informed of the petition for her removal and afforded access to relevant documents.

Consequently, the ongoing process in Ghana are fully consistent with the procedures established under the Ghanaian Constitution.

In her response, the Applicant argued that the case does not involve constitutional interpretation, but rather clear violations of human rights guaranteed under regional legal instruments.  She cited alleged breaches of Article 5 (right to dignity), Article 7 (right to fair hearing), and Article 15 (right to work) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Applicant further argued that the proceedings in Ghana had already inflicted reputational harm on her and compromised judicial independence.  She stressed that allowing it to proceed could render the substantive matter before the ECOWAS Court moot.

  
On jurisdiction, the Applicant cited the ECOWAS Court’s jurisprudence which affirm the Court’s authority to hear human rights claims despite ongoing domestic proceedings, particularly when the domestic remedies are ineffective, or the violations persist.


The Applicant pointed out that the purpose of the application for provisional measures was to temporarily protect her rights and prevent irreparable harm, pending the final decision on the substantive case.

The matter has been adjourned for a ruling at date to be communicated to the parties.

ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice

Mayor of London visits Lagos, attends function on Victoria Island

By: Zagazola Makama

The Mayor of London, Rt. Hon. Dr. Sadiq Khan, on Sunday evening arrived in Lagos for a visit aimed at strengthening ties and exploring investment opportunities.

Zagazola Makama confirmed the arrival of the mayor at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 6:30 p.m., accompanied by his aides.

After completing airport formalities, the mayor proceeded in a motorcade to Slow Restaurant, located at No. 2 Musa Yar’adua Street, Victoria Island, where he attended a private function.

He later moved to Radisson Blu Hotel on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, where he is expected to lodge during his stay in Lagos.

Water-tight security measures had been put in place around the mayor and all locations scheduled for his visit.

Mayor of London visits Lagos, attends function on Victoria Island

Germany, ActionAid Rehabilitate Hundreds of Nigerian Returnees with Vocational Training

By: Michael Mike

Germany and ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) are presently assisting hundreds of deported or returned Nigerians to get rehabilitated back into the system.

Four hundred deportees (returnees) are currently being trained in different vocations in Abuja, Lagos state and Edo state to get them seamlessly back into the society.

Speaking at the onboarding ceremony of the beneficiaries of the vocation skill training programme in Abuja organised by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with German Development Cooperation (GIZ) Nigeria under the Reconnect Programme, the Country Director of AAN, Andrew Mamedu said: “Today marks more than just the start of a training programme, it marks the beginning of a transformative journey. A journey that will open doors to new opportunities, foster self-reliance, and lay the foundation for a brighter and more secure future.”

Mamedu, who was represented by the Director, Business Development and Innovation, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, noted that: “Across Nigeria, migration has become both a lifeline and a risk. Thousands of young people are compelled to leave in search of better opportunities due to unemployment, insecurity, and limited prospects. While some succeed, many face exploitation, trauma, or deportation.

“According to the International Organisation for Migration, over 17,000 Nigerians have voluntarily returned from Libya, Niger, and other transit countries since 2017. These returnees often come home to face stigma, mental health challenges, and limited reintegration opportunities.

“This is where the Reconnect Project comes in to provide practical, meaningful pathways for reintegration rooted in empathy, inclusion, and resilience. Through vocational skills training, psychosocial support, institutional capacity strengthening, and community engagement, the project seeks not only to address immediate needs but to contribute to systemic, long-term solutions to migration-related vulnerabilities.

“At ActionAid, we believe that real development happens when people especially women and young people are equipped with the tools and knowledge to lift themselves and their communities. This programme is a reflection of that belief.”

On her part, the GiZ Project Component Manager, Abuja, Tolulope Olaiya noted that the project is more than a reintegration initiative, but to create an enabling environment where migration becomes a source of shared benefit-for returing migrants, their families, local communities, and the nation as a whole.

She noted that: “Through strategic
collaboration and strong partnerships, we are confident that this project will drive
meaningful, positive change and play an essential role in supporting Nigeria’s overall.”

Olaiya said: “As we launch this crucial phase of the project, we reaffirm our commitment to working colaboratively with al stakeholders to ensure that the vocational training, national efforts to make migration safe, orderly, and beneficial for all.”

She told the beneficiaries: “I encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity. Ask questions. Practice often. Embrace the process. Most importantly believe in yourselves. Learning a skill is not just about securing a job; it’s about gaining the power to shape your own future.”

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants,
and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Tijani Ahmed said the Reintegration and Empowerment for Connecting and Nurturing Opportunities of Vulnerable Populations and Returning Migrants is not just a programme title; it is a promise of hope, restoration, and sustainable inclusion.

Ahmed, who was represented by a Director in the Commission, Dr. Nsikan Essien noted that the event marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beneficiaries, many of whom have faced displacement, marginalization, and hardship.

He said: “Today, we celebrate not only their
resilience but also their readiness to embrace new opportunities that will equip them with valuable vocational skills for self-
reliance and economic independence.”

He added that: “At NCFRMI, we believe that reintegration is not complete without empowerment. This is why vocational training initiatives like these are central to our mandate to ensure durable solutions for persons of concern-including returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees. When we
invest in skills, we invest in futures. And when we invest in people, we invest in peace, progress, and national prosperity.”

He noted that: “The Commission’s support for the Reconnect Project aligns with our strategie vision under the “Project 5×5” Agenda, which emphasizes livelihood support, durable solutions, and
strategic partnerships. We are particularly encouraged by the project’s deliberate focus on vulnerable groups such as returned migrants, persons with disabilities, and women, groups that are often at the intersection of displacement and inequality.
This onboarding ceremony is more than a symbolic occasion; it is a significant step toward inclusive development and conflict-
sensitive reintegration. It shows what is possible when we work together to create pathways to dignity and economic resilience.”
End