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Tag: ECOWAS

  • ECOWAS Court dismisses Shatta Wale’s discrimination claim against Ghana

    ECOWAS Court dismisses Shatta Wale’s discrimination claim against Ghana

    The ECOWAS Court of Justice sitting at Osborne, Lagos State, has dismissed a discrimination claim brought by a Ghanaian musician, Charles Mensah (also known as Shatta Wale), against his country.

    The court delivered judgment in suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/25/24.

    The suit was filed by the musician against Republic of Ghana and its Gaming Commission,

    The court ruled against the applicant, holding that he failed to provide sufficient evidence of discriminatory treatment against him.

    The court also held that there was  lack of proof regarding correspondence with the gaming company.

    It added that the applicant failed  to disclose the identity of the company.

    Mensah had alleged that he was denied an endorsement deal by a gaming company in Ghana because of Guideline VII of Ghana’s Advertising Guidelines.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the guideline  prohibits gaming operators from using celebrities in advertisements.

    Mensah claimed that the restriction violated his right to non-discrimination under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    The Republic of Ghana denied the allegations, arguing that no celebrities were permitted to endorse gaming products under Ghanaian law.

    It challenged the musician to present evidence of celebrities who had been treated differently under a similar circumstance.

    In the judgment, the court held that the applicant failed to prove that there was any correspondence with the gaming company, adding that he  failed to show any directive from the government.

    The court also held that the applicant did not identify the gaming company which, it said, was a necessary party to the suit.

    The court also noted that the applicant did not present credible evidence of discriminatory treatment.

    The court declared that it had jurisdiction over the matter and found the application admissible but had to dismiss it in its entirety for lack of merit.

    The judgment was delivered by a panel comprising Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding), Sengu Koroma and Dupe Atoki.

  • ECOWAS Parliament speaker, others decry W/Africa’s high airfares

    ECOWAS Parliament speaker, others decry W/Africa’s high airfares

    Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mémounatou Ibrahima and other stakeholders have decried the high fares of traveling by air within West Africa, saying such was inimical to subregional economic growth.

    They made this known at the opening session of a Delocalised Meeting of  ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committee on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, on Tuesday in Lomé.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event has as its theme: “Air Transport as a Means of Integration for West African Peoples: A Strategy for Reducing Airline Ticket Costs.”

    It was held to enable stakeholders and experts to brainstorm on the development and chat the way forward.

    The speaker noted that there would not be free movement of people within West Africa without effective and affordable transportation, and air transport was a vital tool for regional economic development and integration.

    According to her, the prohibitive airfares are obstacles to the successful implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols to achieve its ECOWAS of the People vision.

    “The theme that brings us together today, ‘Air Transport as a Means of Integration for West African Peoples: A Strategy for Reducing Airline Ticket Costs,’ is of paramount importance to our community.

    “It reflects a major issue facing our citizens: the prohibitive costs of air travel between our countries, which hinder the free movement of people and compromise our ambitions for regional integration.

    “Therefore, there is no need to emphasise the importance of air transport in a country’s economy, especially within a sub-regional community.

    “Indeed, air transport is an essential lever for economic development and sub-regional integration,” she said.

    The speaker further said that air transport promoted trade, stimulated tourism, strengthened cultural and social ties, and contributed to the growth of member states’ economies.

    She attributed the soaring air fares to multiple taxes and charges imposed across airports in the region.

    “For my part, several factors may contribute to the high cost of airfares in our region.

    “The airports contribute financially to state budgets in several ways, including landing fees, air ticket taxes, security taxes, non-aviation taxes, and revenues from commercial activities at the airport.

    “However, it is clear that all these fees make air ticket costs prohibitive within the ECOWAS region, thus hampering a major driver of development, which is tourism.

    “Others are national airlines operating in isolation rather than in synergy; lack of modern infrastructure adapted to the needs of air transport; and weak implementation of agreements liberalising African airspace, notably the Yamoussoukro Declaration,” Ibrahima said.

    She warned that the ECOWAS Vision 2050 would remain elusive without an efficient and affordable air transport system.

    “If we are to achieve the objectives of the third pillar of ECOWAS Vision 2050, ‘Economic Integration and Interconnectivity,’ it is up to us, as representatives of the peoples of ECOWAS, to explore viable and sustainable solutions.

    “In view of our responsibility in the community’s decision-making process, our role is crucial in the realisation of these reforms.

    “I am convinced that the discussions that will take place during this meeting, to which we have invited African air transport experts and leaders, will be fruitful and will lead to concrete proposals to address this major challenge,” she added.

    The parliamentarian urged her colleagues to develop strong recommendations that would guide member states and relevant institutions in establishing a policy framework for more accessible regional air transport.

    In his remarks, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Sédiko Douka, said that air transport fares within the West African subregion was the highest globally.

    He said the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government was concerned about the situation and had mandated the commission to coordinate and harmonise member states’ air transport policies, programmes, and projects.

    “The task now lies in working towards the implementation of these community texts by ECOWAS member states, whose effective implementation start date has been set for January 1, 2026 – a 15-month period to allow them to prepare, particularly from a budgetary perspective.

    “The subregion is counting on you the members of parliament to implement the community texts that the states themselves initiated and participated in the development, review, and adoption process,” Douka said.

    Vice President of the Togolese National Assembly, Dzereke Yao, said West Africa’s air transport challenge must be urgently addressed to foster stronger economic and human connections among ECOWAS citizens.

    He said prohibitive airfares were undermining the region’s integration aspirations, adding that the outcome of the five-day meeting should go beyond discussions.

    “This paradoxical situation merits our attention because our community boasts considerable potential, whether in population size, economic growth, or youthful dynamism.

    “I, therefore, hope that it will lead to solid, pragmatic, and ambitious recommendations because a competitive and open airspace would benefit all citizens in the region,” he added.

  • JUST IN: ECOWAS Bank appoints new Chairman

    JUST IN: ECOWAS Bank appoints new Chairman

    The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has appointed Dr Cassiel Forson, as the new Chairman of the bank.

    This is contained in a statement made available on Wednesday in Lagos State. The appointment was made during the bank’s 23rd Ordinary Session held on April 14, in Banjul, The Gambia.

    Forson, the current Minister of Finance of the Republic of Ghana, and takes over from the Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honourable Seedy Keita.

    Speaking on the appointment of the new Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr George Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, expressed his confidence in the Forson’s ability to lead the bank towards achieving its objectives in terms of strategic growth, efficiency, and regional impact.

    Donkor also highlighted Forson’s expertise in macroeconomics, fiscal and tax policy administration, finance, and business management as an experienced tax practitioner and chartered accountant with over 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors.

    In his remarks, Thomas Ampem, the Deputy Minister for Finance of the Republic of Ghana, who represented Forson, reiterated the commitment of the new Chairman of the Board to helping the Bank achieve its objectives.

    Ampem also emphasised that the new Chairman would focused on ensuring that the Bank made progress to build on existing achievements, especially in the areas of resource mobilisation and capital recovery.

    He also pledged to support the bringing on board of non-regional members and the overall establishment of EBID as the leading Development Finance Institution in West Africa.

    EBID is the development finance institution of the Economic Community of West African States comprising 15 Member States.

    Based in Lomé, Togolese Republic, the bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programmes covering diverse initiatives from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry, and social services sectors, through its private and public sector windows.

  • Blasphemy laws: We will not be deterred by external pressures – Kano tells ECOWAS court

    Blasphemy laws: We will not be deterred by external pressures – Kano tells ECOWAS court

    The Kano State Government has replied the ECOWAS Court of Justice, defending its blasphemy laws against a verdict stating it violate Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

    The ECOWAS court’s judgment, which declared certain aspects of the blasphemy laws inconsistent with international human rights standards, has sparked a fierce debate.

    In a statement released on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said Kano remained unyielding, citing its legal authority to protect the values and beliefs of its predominantly Muslim population.

    He said, “We will not be deterred by external pressures. Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society, which are grounded in religious and moral beliefs. While we respect international opinions, our laws are a reflection of our people’s will.

    “The Kano government’s defencee is rooted in Nigeria’s federal system, where states retain the right to enact laws reflecting local social, moral, and religious contexts.

    “The people of Kano have entrusted us with the responsibility to maintain peace and protect their religious values. These laws are central to that mission, and they will remain firmly in place.”

    While acknowledging the ECOWAS Court’s judgment, Waiya reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the protection of religious sanctity and public order.

    “We fully respect the court’s authority, but the laws that govern our state must reflect the unique moral and religious fabric of our people,” said Waiya.

    The state argues that its blasphemy laws are not an aberration but a recognition of Nigeria’s legal pluralism — where state legislatures are empowered to legislate on matters within the Concurrent Legislative List, including criminal law.

  • ECOWAS Court rules Kano blasphemy laws contravene Nigeria’s human rights commitments

    ECOWAS Court rules Kano blasphemy laws contravene Nigeria’s human rights commitments

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice has ruled that blasphemy provisions under Kano State law violate Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

    The judgment concluded that these laws infringe on the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in regional and global human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    The case was filed by the Expression Now Human Rights Initiative (ENHRI), a Nigerian non-governmental organisation, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The NGO argued that blasphemy laws in various parts of the country, particularly in Kano State, have resulted in arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, and even death sentences for individuals accused of blasphemous speech.

    In a panel comprising Judges Ricardo Gonçalves, Sengu Koroma, and Dupe Atoki, the court ruled that Section 210 of the Kano State Penal Code was vague and lacked the legal clarity required by international human rights standards. It further held that Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law (2000), which prescribes the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, was both excessive and disproportionate, failing to meet acceptable standards in a democratic society.

    The court declared that both legal provisions were incompatible with Nigeria’s duty to uphold freedom of expression and ordered the federal government to repeal or amend the laws to comply with Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. While acknowledging the state’s interest in preserving public order and respecting religious beliefs, the court emphasized that the laws failed the tests of legality, necessity, and proportionality under the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

    Though the court rejected allegations of state failure to prevent blasphemy-related mob violence due to insufficient evidence, it declared the case admissible with regard to the violation of the right to free expression. It affirmed its jurisdiction, finding the Kano laws inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.

    The judgment comes in the wake of high-profile cases like that of Mubarak Bala, a self-declared atheist and former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, who was arrested in April 2020 following social media posts critical of Islam. Bala was tried in Kano and sentenced in 2022 to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to an 18-count charge of blasphemy and incitement. His case attracted global attention and condemnation from human rights groups concerned about freedom of belief and expression in Nigeria. After spending four years behind bars, Bala was released in January 2025 following a successful appeal that reduced his sentence.

  • Military juntas impose 0.5% levy on goods from ECOWAS Nations

    Military juntas impose 0.5% levy on goods from ECOWAS Nations

    Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations.

    The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.

    According to an official statement by the trio, the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately.

    It will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid, the statement said.

    It will “finance the activities” of the bloc, it said, without giving details.

    The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.

    The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.

    Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.

    Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.

    In retaliation, ECOWAS had imposed economic, political and financial sanctions on the three in a bid to force them to return to constitutional order, to little effect.

  • Liberian president faces $10m lawsuit at ECOWAS Court

    Liberian president faces $10m lawsuit at ECOWAS Court

    Liberian President Joseph Boakai is facing a $10m lawsuit filed before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The suit alleges his involvement in the unlawful suspension and character assassination of Liberia’s Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Ms. Emma Glassco.

    The lawsuit claims that in February, President Boakai arbitrarily suspended Glassco over alleged “financial inefficiency.”

    The Republic of Liberia is named as the sole respondent in the suit.

    Filed on Monday, March 14, 2025, and marked ECW/CCJ/APP/19/25, the lawsuit was submitted by Glassco’s legal team, led by former Chief Justice of Liberia Kabineh Ja’nneh, and attorney Sayma Cephus.

    The suit argues that Glassco’s suspension violated due process.

    Glassco further asserts that she was never investigated or found guilty by any anti-corruption agency in Liberia.

    However, she alleges that her reputation was tarnished by the suspension, which she contends was carried out without legal procedures.

    She claims that the decision portrayed her as a person lacking integrity.

    “The applicant states that the respondent has subjected her to public humiliation, harassment, and intimidation, far beyond any treasonable offense. The respondent instructed nearly all state institutions to conduct criminal investigations, attempting to incriminate her and justify the illegal suspension,” the suit reads.

    Among her demands, Glassco is seeking $10m in compensation for the emotional and psychological trauma, public humiliation, false stigmatisation, and ongoing harassment she claims to have endured.

    She also requests special damages totaling at least $175,000 to cover the unexpired portion of her four-year contract, which she argues has caused unnecessary financial hardship for her and her family.

    Glassco also seeks a declaration from the court that the respondent’s actions were illegal and in violation of Liberia’s tenure laws, which resulted in significant harm to her professional standing and psychological well-being. She is requesting at least $5m in compensation for these damages.

    Additionally, Glassco demands a public apology from President Boakai, which should be published in all major newspapers, aired on radio and television, and displayed on Liberia’s official government website.

    She asserts that this is necessary to repair the damage done to her reputation, which was unjustly tarnished by false allegations of corruption and the baseless investigations that followed.

    Glassco further seeks $250,000 in litigation costs to be paid by the respondent.

    The applicant also notes that she has twelve months remaining on her contract, which was prematurely terminated, and that her salary and allowances have been suspended.

    As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case.

  • Sahel States’ withdrawal from ECOWAS placed increased burden on Nigerian military – CAS

    Sahel States’ withdrawal from ECOWAS placed increased burden on Nigerian military – CAS

    Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, says the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali from ECOWAS has placed more burden on the Nigerian military.

    Abubakar said this at the opening of the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and Commanders on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from the existing security frameworks had disrupted the existing security frameworks in the region.

    According to him, this development has direct implications for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which plays a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

    “With AES member states opting out and Chad considering withdrawal, the MNJTF’s capacity to conduct joint operations is now significantly affected.

    “As a result, the burden on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to support the MNJTF will increase, demanding a more robust, agile, and adaptive response from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    “Strengthening operational readiness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and leveraging advanced air power will be critical in mitigating these evolving threats as we progress through 2025,” he said.

    The CAS said that the Sahel region had continued to be a hotspot for terrorism and insurgency, with Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist groups exploiting weak governance structures to expand their influence.

    He added that the porous borders in the Lake Chad Basin, had also allowed the extremist elements to sustain their activities, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.

    Abubakar said the Gulf of Guinea also remained vulnerable to maritime crimes, including piracy and illegal oil bunkering, necessitating sustained aerial surveillance and stronger regional cooperation to bolster maritime security.

    According to him, addressing these challenges requires a unified approach, emphasising coordinated air operations, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships.

    He said the meeting would provide a valuable opportunity for them to review the security landscape of Nigeria in 2024, critically assess their operational successes and challenges, and project actionable strategies for the NAF operations in 2025.

    “As the senior leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, we shoulder the vital responsibility of ensuring the effective deployment of air power in support of national security objectives.

    “I deeply appreciate your dedication and support so far, and I urge each of us to engage in today’s discussions with the utmost commitment, foresight, and resolve,” he added.

  • ECOWAS Court dismisses suit against FG over shrine destruction

    ECOWAS Court dismisses suit against FG over shrine destruction

    The ECOWAS Court on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by a Nigerian woman, Lovina Adonor, seeking to compel the Federal Government to pay her reparation for the destruction of her shrine.

    Adonor, a self-acclaimed priestess, had filed the suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/61/22, seeking the enforcement of her fundamental human rights against Nigeria.

    Adonor had in her submission claimed that her shrine was attacked and vandalised by some private individuals, forcing her to flee the community due to threats to her life.

    She also alleged that the Nigerian government failed to provide adequate protection, investigate her complaints, or address the destruction of her religious materials and property.

    According to the applicant, the incident was tantamount to the violation of her right to propagate her religion, the right to security, and the right to own property without discrimination.

    She had argued that such violated rights were encapsulated under ECOWAS basic texts and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

    Delivering judgment, however, Justice Sengu Koroma, the Judge Rapporteur, declined to grant the applicant’s prayer for any reparations or order for perpetual injunction against the respondent.

    The court held that Adonor failed to establish a direct connection between the alleged violation of her rights and the Nigerian government or its agents.

    The court further held that Nigeria had adequately investigated the complaints, while the individuals responsible for the alleged acts were private citizens, who had been detained and later released after due process.

    “Additionally, the Applicant’s claims under Article 3, 6, 12, 14, and 21 of the ACHPR are dismissed for lack of facts sufficient and evidence to warrant relief sought thereunder.

    “Furthermore, the National laws, such as Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution, are outside of the Court competence,” the court said.

    The court explained that after reviewing both parties’ submissions, it affirmed its jurisdiction to entertain the suit because the case pertained to alleged human rights violations within an ECOWAS member state.

    It added that the application was admissible, because the Applicant had sufficiently demonstrated her victim status, and also met the necessary procedural requirements.

    The three-member panel of the court which has Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding); Sengu Koroma (rapporteur); and Edward Asante (member), ordered that both parties would bear their own costs.

  • ECOWAS cautious as Mali, B/Faso , Niger exit bloc today

    ECOWAS cautious as Mali, B/Faso , Niger exit bloc today

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS becomes effective from Jan. 29th, the commission stated on Wednesday.

    The commission’s spokesperson, Joel Ahofodji, explained that it is in line with the decision of the ECOWAS authority, and in the spirit of regional solidarity and interest of the people.

    He added that the bloc was still open to their return whenever they wanted.

    The bloc urged all relevant authorities within and outside ECOWAS Member States to take note of the development.

    The commission urged recognition of the national passports and identity cards bearing ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, until further notice.

    It also urged all concerned to continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.

    ECOWAS also urged them to allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice.

    The commission also urged all to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the community.

    “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

    “The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries.

    “This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” Ahofodji added.

    NAN reports that the three Sahel countries had on Jan. 29, 2024, declared their intention to quit ECOWAS within 12 months in line with the bloc’s protocol.

    The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Dec. 2024 approved the three countries’ right to quit but said their doors were still open to return.