ECOWAS Court finds Sierra Leone guilty of human rights violations during Makeni protests

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice, has delivered its decision in the case of Hassan Kargbo and seven others against the State of Sierra Leone.

The applicants brought an action before the ECOWAS Court of Justice against the State of Sierra Leone for serious violations of their fundamental rights during the tragic events that took place in Makeni in July 2020, particularly the violations of the right to security of the person, the right to life and the right to an effective remedy.

The events leading to this case took place on 17 and 18 July 2020, when a demonstration by young people was violently quelled by the Sierra Leone law enforcement.

According to the applicants, the army and police used live ammunition and tear gas against the demonstrators, causing deaths and serious injuries among unarmed civilians. Several victims, including Foday Kargbo, Mohamed Sillah and Alusine Sesay, died as a result of this crackdown.

The State of Sierra Leone neither appeared nor presented a defence. The Court delivered its judgment by default.

In the judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge-Rapporteur, the Court found that the State of Sierra Leone had violated the right to security of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah. Nonetheless, the Court found that the State had neither violated the right to life of the applicants, who were still alive, nor their right to an effective remedy.

As for the unarmed civilians who had lost their lives in the violence, the claim of the applicants who had presented themselves as their rightful heirs was declared inadmissible for failure to provide proof of their death and of their kinship with the victims.

Furthermore, the Court found that the State had failed in its obligation to conduct investigations into the events at Makeni.
As compensation for these violations, it ordered the State to pay USD 15,000 in damages to each of the applicants Hassan Kargbo and Mohamed Fornah for violation of their right to security. It also enjoined the State to take measures to prevent the excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations and to conduct an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.

The three-member panel of the Court were Honorable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge), Honorable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (judge-rapporteur) and Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (panel member).

Concern as over 40 Nigerian Security Personnel Arrested for Arming Terrorists

By: Zagazola Makama

A shocking trend of security personnel selling arms and ammunition to terrorists has reached a boiling point in Nigeria, with over 40 mobile policemen and soldiers arrested in recent months across the country.

This disturbing phenomenon was uncovered during discreet investigations into the proliferation of weapons used by terrorists and bandits, conducted by intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Military Police.

The alarming revelation underscores a critical breach in Nigeria’s internal security, where individuals sworn to protect the nation are instead fueling violence and aiding criminal elements.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had previously raised concerns over the illegal sale of arms by security agents to bandits and terrorists. Speaking at an event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja, Ribadu condemned the betrayal by these personnel.

“The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who takes arms from his formation and sells them to bad people, enabling them to kill his own colleagues and fellow citizens,” Ribadu stated.

He stressed the urgent need to halt these practices, warning that they not only embolden terrorists but also exacerbate insecurity in Nigeria and the broader West African region.

The involvement of security personnel in arming terrorists not only compromises national security but also undermines regional efforts to combat terrorism.

This situation has also added to the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons(SALW) in view of the growing threat of terrorism in Nigeria, where the country is struggling to contain the infiltration of terrorists groups from countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that these individuals were apprehended during discreet investigations
into the proliferation of weapons used by criminal elements, including terrorists and bandits in the North East, North West, North Central and South East part of the country.

Details of the Illicit Network

Investigations revealed that some of the arrested security personnel had amassed significant wealth from their illicit acts. A soldier was discovered to have over ₦50 million in his account from arms sales, while a mobile policeman had accumulated over ₦80 million.
AK47 riffle are holding ranging from N500,000 to N750,000 while other weapons like Anti Aircraft gun are sold from N1million and above.
These transactions highlight an organized and lucrative network of illicit arms trading between rogue soldier elements and the police.

The proliferation of these weapons has worsened insecurity in regions such as the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-East, where bandits, terrorists, and separatist groups continue to launch deadly attacks on communities.

Calls for Action

It is advised that DHQ should check involvement of security personnel in arms racketeering with a view to nipping the aspect in the bud while ONSA should direct the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to investigate the arms trade and dismantle the networks facilitating these transactions.

Concern as over 40 Nigerian Security Personnel Arrested for Arming Terrorists

Zulum Congratulates Daniel Bwala on Appointment as Special Adviser to the President

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has congratulated Barrister Daniel Bwala on his appointment as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.

Governor Zulum described the appointment as well-deserved, noting that Barrister Bwala has distinguished himself not only in the legal profession but also in the fields of public relations and communication.

The governor expressed confidence that Bwala will leverage his extensive experience to effectively manage the media image of the president, especially at this critical period of the nation’s history.

As a proud indigene of Borno State, Governor Zulum emphasized his belief that Barrister Bwala will contribute significantly to projecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In his statement, Governor Zulum said: “Bwala is an inspiration to many young people in Nigeria. He is frank, cerebral, and has immensely contributed to the advancement of our democracy through his constant public engagements in the media space. This is indeed a well-deserved appointment.”

Governor Zulum extended his best wishes to Barrister Daniel Bwala for a successful tenure in office as he takes on this important national role.