Africa
ECOWAS Court clears Liberian Govt of rights violation
The ECOWAS Court of Justice on Thursday in Abuja dismissed a suit filed against the Liberian Government for rights violations.
It would be recalled that the alliance of Liberia’s political parties dragged the government to court challenging the decision of the country’s National Electoral Commission (NEC).
In suit no. ECW/CCJ/APP/49/20, the parties comprising the Unity Party, the Liberty Party, the Alternative National Congress and the All Liberian Party alleged the violation of their rights.
The parties told the ECOWAS Court that they were not allowed to participate in the conduct of public affairs in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Delivering judgment, Justice Dupe Atoki, held that a defective Voter’s Roll was not a matter within its competence in the context of Article 13(1) of the Charter that guaranteed a right to vote and be voted for.
The judge held that the process or conduct of an election same being regulated by the national laws, and any challenge thereof belongs to the national realm for adjudication and redress.
She noted that thus, issues of the integrity and credibility of an election process rightfully belonged to the national jurisdiction.
The ECOWAS Court further reiterated its position in a plethora of cases that it was not an appellate court and would not review the decisions of domestic courts.
This, Atoki explained was as regards the Applicant’s second contention on the refusal of the Supreme Court to grant a Writ of Mandamus compelling a clean-up of the voters’ register was a violation of the Applicant’s right to a fair hearing.
She, however, noted that the court would consider and rule as appropriate, where there had been an allegation of human rights violation touching on the proceedings before the domestic courts.
“In reviewing the decision of a national court in an allegation of lack of fair hearing, the Applicant must prove that an irregularity in the procedure occurred.
“However, the Applicant has not indicated any irregularities in the proceedings at the Supreme Court to support a denial of a fair hearing.
“Indeed, the Applicant confirmed that they were heard, but their grouse is that the court refused to grant the relief sought”, Atoki said.
The ECOWAS Court also noted that the refusal of the Supreme Court to issue the Writ of Mandamus for which the Applicant had applied clearly fell out of the contemplation of Article 7 of the Charter.
This, the court also explained could not be classified as an irregularity in the procedure before the Supreme Court.
Earlier, lawyers representing the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Femi Falana, SAN, Femi Adedeji, Benedict Sannoh, Samuel kofi Woods and Finley Karngar, told the court that the Supreme Court of Liberia had acknowledged several irregularities in the voters’ roll.
This, they said was acknowledged following an earlier petition filed by two political parties challenging the integrity of the Voters’ Roll and ordering the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to clean up the voters’ roll.
The lawyers said that following the non-implementation of the order of the Supreme Court, they filed an application before it, requesting a writ of mandamus.
The application, they said was to compel NEC to clean up the Voter Roll but the ECOWAS Court declined and that other attempts to ensure compliance by the commission were unsuccessful.
The lawyers urged the ECOWAS Court to declare that conducting the mid-term elections without a clean-up of the Voters’ Roll.
They also said that the release at least 30 days prior to the elections amounted to a violation of their rights to free, transparent and credible elections, which was crucial for national stability and peace.
In its defence, Liberia’s Solicitor General, Sayma Cephus and Lafayette Gould told the ECOWAS Court that NEC carried out a clean-up of the Voters Roll, adding that a component of the CPP and another party participated in the run-off elections.
The defence attorneys also told the court that the ECOWAS technical team was involved in the clean-up process.
They also told the ECOWAS Court that the additional names on the Voters Roll were those who turned 18 years between 2017 and 2020, a period of three years after the last updating exercise of the initial Voters Roll.
(NAN)
When the Gatekeeper Fumbles: JAMB’s Error and the Future of Our Youth
By Matthew Eloyi
It is not every day that a public official publicly sheds tears. And so, when the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, broke down while admitting to errors in the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), it was a deeply emotional moment. But make no mistake: while the tears may have reflected remorse, they cannot wash away the consequences of what is, quite frankly, a systemic failure.
Let us be clear — JAMB is not merely an examination body. It is a gatekeeper to higher education in Nigeria. It is the bridge between dreams and their realisation for millions of young Nigerians. To fumble that responsibility is not a technical error; it is a breach of trust with life-altering consequences.
With nearly 380,000 candidates now required to retake the exam due to technical glitches and irregularities, one cannot help but ask: How did we get here? And more importantly, why does this keep happening?
For years, JAMB has marketed its transition to computer-based testing as a step toward modernisation. Yet each year seems to expose new cracks in its implementation — from faulty computer systems and power outages to incomplete biometric verification and poorly configured questions. These are not unforeseeable anomalies. They are predictable outcomes of poor planning, lack of oversight, and inadequate investment in infrastructure.
Imagine the psychological toll on the students, many of whom studied day and night, only to be met with malfunctioning systems and flawed questions. Some walked out of examination halls in tears, their confidence shattered, their futures placed in limbo. For those in remote or under-resourced areas, the technical errors are compounded by infrastructural and economic disadvantages. What we are witnessing is not just an exam failure; it is an institutional failure that amplifies inequality.
JAMB’s decision to allow affected candidates a resit is necessary, but it is insufficient. What about those who may never realize they were victims of the glitch? What about those whose faith in the process has been irreparably broken?
Professor Oloyede’s tears may have been sincere, but what Nigerian students need now is not emotion — it is accountability. Heads must roll, systems must be overhauled, and the entire structure must be audited. We cannot allow a body that plays such a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s intellectual future to operate with such recklessness.
The UTME is a rite of passage for Nigerian students; it should not become a roulette of misfortune. Until JAMB can guarantee a glitch-free, fair, and standardised assessment, its credibility will remain on shaky ground.
In the end, our children deserve better. They deserve an education system that works; not one that breaks down and apologises after the damage is done.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has confirmed that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc takes effect from January 29, 2025.
ECOWAS spokesperson Joel Ahofodji, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision aligns with the ECOWAS authority’s resolution and reflects the spirit of regional solidarity and the interests of the people.
Despite their exit, Ahofodji emphasized that the bloc remains open to the return of the three Sahel nations whenever they choose.
“All relevant authorities within and outside ECOWAS Member States should take note of this development,” he said.
To minimize disruptions, ECOWAS urged the continued recognition of national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger until further notice.
Additionally, the commission called for the continued application of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policies for goods and services from the departing nations. It also stressed that their citizens should retain the right to visa-free movement, residence, and establishment under existing ECOWAS protocols.
Furthermore, ECOWAS requested full support and cooperation for its officials from the three countries as they continue their assignments.
“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,” Ahofodji stated.
He revealed that ECOWAS has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities, ensuring a smooth transition.
“This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger initially announced their intention to leave ECOWAS on January 29, 2024, in accordance with the bloc’s protocol, which allows for a 12-month notice period. In December 2024, ECOWAS officially acknowledged their right to exit but reiterated its willingness to welcome them back in the future.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
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