ECOWAS Court Orders Sierra Leone to Repeal Loitering Laws Violating Human Rights

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, has on Thursday ordered Sierra Leone to amend, modify, or repeal its laws on loitering in public places to comply with the country’s obligations under Articles 1, 2, 3(1), and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

A Sierra Leonean NGO, Advocaid Ltd, had filed an application with the Court on 12 April 2022 challenging certain provisions of Sierra Leone’s Public Order Act, Summary Conviction Offences Ordinance, and Criminal Procedure Act which authorise the police to arrest any person who is idle in a public place and cannot give a good account of himself or herself.

The Applicant contended that maintaining and enforcing these laws violate the principles of non-discrimination, equality before the law, and freedom of movement, particularly concerning impoverished and marginalized people.

In the Judgment delivered by Justice Edward Asante Amoako, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court found that the loitering laws perpetuate discrimination against economically disadvantaged individuals, violating the right to non-discrimination and equal protection under Articles 2 and 3(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Additionally, the laws impose unwarranted restrictions on freedom of movement, contrary to Article 12(1) of the African Charter.

The Court also noted that vague terms in the loitering laws, such as “idle” and “disorderly,” create opportunities for arbitrary enforcement and do not meet standards of legality, necessity, and proportionality in a democratic society.

Accordingly, the ECOWAS Court ordered Sierra Leone to undertake legislative reforms to amend, modify, or repeal these loitering laws to comply with its human rights obligations under the African Charter.

The Court further directed each party to bear its own costs in the suit.

Also on the three-member panel were Honourable Justices Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, presiding and Dupe Atoki, member.

ECOWAS Court Orders Sierra Leone to Repeal Loitering Laws Violating Human Rights

E-banking: FG, Ndume trains, empower 350 Southern Borno IDPs on POS operations

By: Salihu Inusa

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with Mbeva Investment Nigeria Limited (MINL) and support from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume have trained about 350 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to empower them on the Point of Sales (POS) operations.

Flagging off the empowerment initiative on Thursday at FORSHAMS Event Centre in Maiduguri, Borno state, the Sponsor, Senator Ndume applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his fulfilment of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, and as well, partnering with Mbeva Investment Nigeria ltd, which he said, had better the lives of the vulnerable ones in the society.

The former Senator Leader and Chief Whip disclosed that the over decade Boko Haram crisis, epileptic telecommunication network and power supply have economically affected the people in the nine (9) local government areas of the constituency, as there are virtually no existing Bank in each of the councils, except Biu with little functional banks.

He noted that, the cashless policy and the ongoing electronic banking system has also forced many people in Southern Borno facing difficulty in their daily transactions and businesses.

His words: ” I am very happy to be part of this training and empowerment initiative.
We have a total of 350 people drawn from each Wards of Southern Borno, most of the beneficiaries are IDPs.

“This Training and Empowerment programme will not only improve the financial inclusion of our community but
also create employment opportunities for our youth.

” Let me use this opportunity to applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in fulfilment of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, and as well, partnering with Mbeva Investment Nigeria ltd towards the betterment of the lives of the vulnerable ones in the society.

“As you are aware, the over decade Boko Haram crisis, coupled with epileptic network and power supply have economically affected the people in my constituency, as there are virtually no existing Bank in each of the councils, except Biu with little functional banks.

” The situation has even worsened with the cashless policy and the ongoing electronic banking system. Many people in Southern Borno are facing difficulty in their daily transactions and businesses. But with this exercise, there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel”. Ndume stated.

He therefore enjoined all the participants to take good use of the gesture and the kits given to each of them for POS operations, so as to make them economically self -reliant and contribute to the development of the society.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of Mbeva Investment Nigeria Limited, Hon. Musa Ali single out Miss Rhoda Chibok who had to travel all the way from Chibok local government to Mubi in Adamawa state, just to obtain her BVN and other needed accreditation that qualified her to be part of the beneficiaries.

“I am delighted to welcome you to this POS machine training, proudly
sponsored by the visionary leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

“Today, we gather to empower our youth with the skills necessary to excel in the
digital economy. This initiative would have not been possible without Senator
Ndume’s unwavering commitment to the development of our community.

“Senator Ndume’s remarkable leadership has earned him a reputation as a senator who tirelessly advocates for the welfare of all Nigerians, not just those from his native Borno south senatorial district.

” Through this partnership with Mbeva Investment Nig. Ltd, a renowned contract
company, we are equipping our trainees with: Comprehensive POS machine operation knowledge, Efficient transaction processing skills and Enhanced financial management expertise.

” I therefore urge you (participants) to take full advantage of this opportunity and acquire the skills necessary to succeed and become ambassadors of financial literacy”. Hon. Ali stated.

Miss Rhoda Chibok who got additional cash from Senator Ndume and other stakeholders for her commitment in the POS training and Empowerment exercise commended the organisers on behalf of other beneficiaries.

She said they would all utilize the opportunity transparently and judiciously to ensure they scale up the empowerment initiative to other people in the constituency, and to become economically self -reliant, and have ease of doing businesses.

E-banking: FG, Ndume trains, empower 350 Southern Borno IDPs on POS operations

VC BOSU VISITS CUSTOMS HOUSE-ASSURES OF COLLABORATION

By: Our Reporter

The Vice Chancellor Borno State University Professor Babagana Gutti, has called for collaboration between BOSU and the Customs Borno/Yobe Command to serve humanity.

He made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Controller Customs Borno/Yobe Command, Muhammad Danja Mala. Professor Gutti said, the visit was to familiarize himself as well as explore ways of collaboration between the two important institutions as, they can tap from each others functions and experiences.

In his response, the Controller Customs Borno/Yobe Command Muhammad Danja Mala congratulated the VC on his appointment and assured of readiness of the Customs Borno/Yobe Command to collaborate with BOSU for the progress of the two organizations. Alh. MD Mala assured the VC that his doors are always open for any collaboration adding that, the Customs is ready to assist BOSU in anyway possible.

He then presented a plaque to the VC in appreciation of the visit.

VC BOSU VISITS CUSTOMS HOUSE-ASSURES OF COLLABORATION