ECOWAS Court Declares Inadmissible Case of Human Rights violations Againat Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS has declared inadmissible, a case of alleged human rights violations brought by a Nigerian suing on behalf of Makia Media Limited, and dismissed all claims sought by the Applicant.

In its judgment delivered by Justice Sengu Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, the Court noted it had jurisdiction to hear the case centred on alleged human rights violations. On admissibility, the Court held that although the Applicant had jurisdiction to bring a claim for human rights violation as a corporate body, it neither met the requirement of ‘actio popularis’ principle that is, an action for the benefit of the public, nor demonstrated that the victims cannot be envisioned by the Court.

Consequently, the Court declared the case inadmissible after noting that the Applicant lacked the legal capacity to bring the matter before the Court as actio popularis, and equally failed to present evidence mandating him to act in a representational capacity on behalf of Makia Media Limited.
“The reliefs sought must be exclusively for the benefit of the public to the exclusion of the personal interest of the Applicant,” the judgment stated.

In the initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/43/21, the Applicant, Patrick Eholor suing on behalf of Makia Media Limited alleged that the Respondent, Federal Government of Nigeria through its agent and extant laws governing broadcasting in Nigeria violated the rights of human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, journalists, broadcasters and social media users including their rights to freedom of expression, and information.
He added that various provisions of Nigeria’s Broadcasting Code were inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He claimed that in July 2020, the Respondent through its agent – Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) began implementation of repressive Sections of the Code particularly Sections 5, 4 (1), (f) and 5 (4), (3). Furthermore, NBC considered all coverage on security issues as threat to governance and engaged in arbitrary arrest and detention of media practitioners. He further claimed the Respondent also failed to release public information sought by practitioners.

On their part, the Respondent denied the claims of the Applicant arguing that no court had declared any Sections of the NBC Code as ambiguous or illegal and that the Applicant had not been prevented from exercising its rights within the limits of the law. It added that the Applicant was not at any time arrested or detained. It contended that the Applicant being a corporate body lacked the capacity to sue for violation of human rights.

After deliberation, the Court upheld the preliminary objection raised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria when it declared the entire suit inadmissible “both as an actio popularis suit and a representational suit. It also dismissed all other claims.

As to cost, the Court recalled its previous award of the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (against the Respondent state for tardiness), it therefore ordered the payment of the interlocutory cost of 250,000 Naira in favour of the Applicant.

With Justice Koroma on the bench were Justices Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding) and Dupe Atoki (member).

ECOWAS Court Declares Inadmissible Case of Human Rights violations Againat Nigeria

EU Commends Zulum’s Post Conflict Recovery Efforts

By: Our Reporter

The European Union has lauded Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s post-conflict recovery efforts, citing the Muna Vocational Training Institute, which trains youth, particularly those affected by the over one-decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.

Head of the European Union (EU) mission to Borno, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, made the commendation over the week in Maiduguri while speaking to journalists at the Vocational Training Institute, Muna.

Ambassador Mignot noted his team was delighted to see the magnitude of opportunity the vocational enterprise institute provides for the people of Borno State and beyond.

He said, “I’m applauding this wonderful achievement. It’s one example of many centres built by the state government under the guidance of Governor Zulum and his vision.

“Vocational training is clear- it is something that young people in the state need, and this is something we have also experienced in Europe, especially in Germany.”

“We’ve been reviewing the portfolio of projects and humanitarian assistance and, above all, developing cooperation in many areas. Borno State has been and will remain a key priority area for European cooperation in the coming years.

Also speaking, the representative of the German Ambassador, Karen Jensen, commended Governor Zulum for an all-inclusive empowerment which comprises women and girls.

The German Ambassador’s representative, Jesen, expressed satisfaction over the number of women participating in various vocational training programs at the facility, notably in traditionally male-dominated fields like welding, saying, “It’s important for women and girls to be part of vocational education.”

“I’m proud of what I’m seeing here and our cooperation work is very nice,” Jesen said.

The delegation was earlier at the Government House to pay a courtesy call on Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, during which the European Union reiterated its commitment to partner with the Borno State Government in peace-building projects to be implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Speaking at the Government House function, the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, commended Governor Zulum’s leadership qualities in promoting agriculture and strengthening local economies through innovation, infrastructure development, and capacity building.

He stated they will work with the Zulum’s administration to determine the most effective ways to support the state government’s efforts by enhancing agricultural productivity, establishing sustainable and resilient food systems, and empowering farmers and communities to become self-reliant.

EU Commends Zulum’s Post Conflict Recovery Efforts

Sudan Calls for Stiffer Sanctions Against RSF for Resurgent Attacks on Civilians

By: Michael Mike

Sudanese Government has condemned recent attack on civilians by the militia, calling on the international community to come had on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which is currently in battle with the Sudanese Army.

The militia was alleged to have attacked the Merowe power station and substations in Al-Shawak, Sinnar, Sennjah, Atbara, and Dongola, with the aim of disrupting electricity and water supplies to the safer states, and deliberately crippling essential services, such as hospitals, bakeries, food production, and public utilities, so as to further deepens the suffering of the Sudanese people.

Reacting to the recent attack in Abuja on Friday, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Omer Jaboul, said these practices constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and conventions.

The envoy while calling on United Nations and its agencies, African Union and humanitarian agencies to act against the militias, said: “The government affirms that the militias commission of this type of crime represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions on vital facilities.

“The Sudanese government calls on all countries and human rights organisations to classify the militia, its members, and its agents from countries, institutions and individuals as terrorist entities that are pursued and punished internationally.”

He alleged that: “In continuation of its destructive and criminal approach, the rebel Rapid Support Militia today burned the Khartoum Refinery in Jele. This operation is a continuation of a series of systematic criminal practices in destroying vital facilities in Sudan. It has previously destroyed water and electricity stations, dams, hospitals, citizens’ homes, government institutions, museums, schools, universities, and other vital facilities.

“These practices constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting vital facilities.

“This is an attack done by the rebel RSF militia on the Al-Shawak power station in Gedaref State, Eastern Sudan, as well as on the Gedaref water station.

“These attacks were done on Sinnar and Sinja and Dongla States power stattions.”

The Sudanese government had earlier in a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office of the Spokesperson and Media Directorate, alleged that after realizing its utter inability to confront the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and supporting forces, in the wake of
humiliating losses it has sustained, the Janjaweed RSF militia, restored to overt acts of terrorism, targeting power
stations, water facilities, hospitals, remote villages, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, and civilian convoys.

The statement read that: “Over the past few days, the RSF militia has carried out
multiple drone strikes on the Merowe power station and substations in Al-Shawak, Sinnar, Sennjah, Atbara, and Dongola. These attacks aim to disrupt electricity and water supplies to the safer states, deliberately crippling essential services, such as hospitals, bakeries, food production, and public utilities, which further deepens the suffering of the
Sudanese people. These crimes are part of a broader genocidal strategy being pursued within the context of its war of aggression against the Sudanese people, with the
support of its regional sponsors.

“At the same time, the RSF militia continue to perpetrate massacres in villages across Gezira State and has escalated
its assaults on IDP camps in North Darfur, notably the Abu Shok and Zamzam camps. In addition, the RSF has attacked
civilian infrastructure in El Fasher. Despite repeated calls for accountability, the militia remains in defiant violation of UN
Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024), threatening further massacres in the city of El Fasher.

“The Government of Sudan strongly condemns these actions and calls on the international community, particularly the
United Nations, to take immediate and decisive action. The Government urges the international community to
unequivocally condemn these terrorist crimes as clear violations of international humanitarian law, the Jeddah
Declaration, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“The Government further urges the international community to take effective measures against the RSF terrorist militia to prevent further criminal actions.”

Sudan Calls for Stiffer Sanctions Against RSF for Resurgent Attacks on Civilians