By Mark Longyen

Justice Edward Asante, President, ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ) says the court’s digitalisation scheme of adopting Electronic Case Management System (ECMS), will facilitate access, efficiency, transparency, and speedy justice delivery.

Asante stated this at a sensitisation and training programme for lawyers on CCJ’s newly introduced ECMS in Accra, Ghana, on Friday, the court said.

He said that the adoption of ECMS, which was in line with the 2020 Practice Directions on Electronic Case Management and Virtual Court Sessions, marked a significant shift towards technological solutions.

“These innovations have now become permanent features, including online filing of legal documents, electronic service of documents, and virtual court sessions via platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams,” the president explained.

“The introduction of the ECMS represents a further commitment to modernising judicial processes, aiming for greater efficiency and accessibility.

“The system supports electronic filing, automatic electronic service, and comprehensive electronic management of cases.

“With 24/7 access through a user-friendly portal available in English, French, and Portuguese, the ECMS facilitates real-time case information, court notifications, and hearing schedules, enhancing transparency and reducing costs,” he said.

The President recalled that the court’s efforts to enhance access to justice through digitalisation, was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the week-long programme would enable practitioners to navigate the court’s innovative digital platform, and encourage them to fully engage with the training to harness its benefits.

Justice Asante recalled that CCJ was established by the Lagos Treaty of 1975, became operational in 2001, and its jurisdiction was expanded in 2005 to include human rights cases within the community.

He described the inclusion of human rights cases as crucial in upholding fundamental human rights, the rule of law, and good governance in West Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Accra programme is the second of three planned events, following a similar one in Lomé, Togo, with the final one to be held later in Praia, Cape Verde.

The programme, which is conducted in hybrid format, and in the three official languages of ECOWAS -English, French and Portuguese, draws participating lawyers from across ECOWAS member states, both in person and online.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Sarafina Christopher

Mr Li Xuda, Director of Chinese cultural centre in Nigeria on Thursday called on Africa to use photo exhibitions to project the continent’s image positively to attract tourists and potential investors.

Li made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the sidelines of a photo exhibition titled, “A Renewed Glimpse into Africa: Exhibition of Chinese Artist Works Inspired by Their Trip to Africa”.

According to Li, photography engages storytelling through interactive displays that captivate visitors and inspire them to explore the beauty and richness of a country.

He added that evolving the stories told in and about African culture by distributing accurate and empowering stories is key to reshaping Africa’s narrative and attracting tourists to the region.

“We believe that exhibitions are valuable in showcasing the diverse cultures, landscapes, and people of Africa in a positive light.

“Through these photos, we can see the beauty, resilience, and vibrancy of African communities shedding light on their unique traditions, customs, and way of life.

“Africa is a land of culture with splendid civilisation and abundant natural resources.

“We also believe that this exhibition will strengthen ties between China and Africa and pave the way for increased tourism and economic opportunities,” he said.

NAN reports that the photographs were taken by Duan Tiejun, Chairman of Tianjin Culture, Tourism, and Photographers’ Association, among others who visited Senegal, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mauritius, and many other African countries.

NAN also reports that about 70 students from various schools were in attendance for the photo exhibition. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Mark Longyen

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Edward Asante, says the adoption of the electronic case management system (ECMS) by the court is crucial to efficient contemporary justice delivery.

Justice Asante stated this at the unveiling of the ECMS sensitization and training programme on Monday in Lomé, Togo, the court stated.

Asante explained that the  programme was for lawyers from member states, stressing that it marked a crucial step in improving access to justice and efficiency of judicial procedures within the ECOWAS region.

“The main objective of this programme is the sensitisation and training of lawyers and government agents from ECOWAS member states on the use of the new electronic filing and case management system.

“The adoption of the ECMS marks a crucial step in improving access to justice and efficiency of judicial procedures within the ECOWAS region,” the CCJ President said.

Asante disclosed that the Court accelerated its transition towards digitalisation of judicial procedures by adopting practical guidelines for ECMS and virtual hearings following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The notable innovations include electronic filing of documents, electronic service of notices of registration and the holding of virtual hearings, which all represent a significant advancement in the court’s modernisation of judicial processes.

“Furthermore, it aims to make the court more accessible and efficient by allowing lawyers to file documents, receive notifications, and attend virtual hearings via a secure web interface,” he added.

Asante said the initiatives aimed to equip legal practitioners with the necessary knowledge to use the ECMS effectively.

He stressed that the court had played a central role in interpreting and applying Community legal texts and protecting human rights since 2005.

The CCJ president said the Lomé programme was the first in a series of sensitisation and training programs, with two others slated for Accra, Ghana (for anglophone lawyers), and Praia, Cape Verde (for lusophone lawyers).

He, therefore, encouraged all the participants to seize the opportunity of the training and fully engage in it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CCJ is ECOWAS’ judicial organ, mandated to resolve disputes related to its treaties, protocols and conventions, and also entertain individual human rights violations complaints.

It was established under the Lagos Treaty of 1975 and became operational in 2001.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed an application filed by former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, praying the court to compel Nigeria to enforce its judgment delivered in his favour on Oct. 4, 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had in the judgment declared Dasuki’s arrest and detention by the Nigerian government unlawful and a violation of his rights.

Justice Sengu Koroma, the Judge Rapporteur, while delivering judgment in Abuja on Dasuki’s application for enforcement, dismissed it on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain or enforce the earlier judgment.

Koroma said the court was guided by laid down procedures regarding the enforcement of its judgments as enshrined in the Community Law, and the proper party to institute an enforcement failure claim.

“Having thoroughly assessed the claims and constitutive texts of the Court, it lacks the competence to adjudicate the present claim,” the court said.

NAN reports that in the suit marked: ECW/CCJ/JUD/23/16, Justice Friday Nwoke had declared the government’s action against Dasuki as “arbitrary, unlawful, a mockery of democracy and the rule of law, and a violation of local and international rights to liberty.”

The court had further held that the government’s action violated Dasuki’s rights under the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

It, therefore, ordered the release of all the seized properties of the applicant, as well as the payment of N15, 000,000 damages to him.

Following the federal government’s failure to comply with and enforce the said judgment, the applicant, therefore, filed the application before the court for its enforcement.

Earlier at the hearing of the matter, the federal government denied the applicant’s allegations, stressing that the properties being claimed by Dasuki were subjects of ongoing criminal proceedings, which he did not disclose in the suit.

The respondent’s counsel had argued that the government had already fulfilled its obligations, adding that the court’s Chief Registrar had issued a Writ of Execution, making the relief prayed for by the applicant unnecessary.

The panel, which comprised Justice Edward Asante (presiding), Justice Sengu Koroma (Judge Rapporteur), and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Gonçalves (member), awarded no costs to parties in the suit.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Mark Longyen

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on West African police chiefs to collaborate and devise innovative ways to tackle emerging complex security challenges facing the ECOWAS bloc.

Egbetokun made this known at a meeting of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) technical sub-committee on training and operations in Abuja.

He said that the West African subregion had in recent times been confronted with complex national security challenges, which had been accentuating transnational crimes.

“The activities of these cybercriminals has imposed on us all the additional burden of developing our national security capacity to dominate cyberspace and deny criminals the liberty to operate in our overriding national and regional security interests.

“The differences in legal frameworks and legislative systems continue to hinder effective law enforcement operations and criminal justice delivery initiatives among member states.

“Our security reality continually deepens the need to commit to regional collaboration, towards dissecting the pattern and trend of crimes on the one hand, and towards pulling together and supporting each other in bridging our national security gaps,” he said.

According to him, these challenges have been posing significant threats to the national security order of member states, as well as regional peace and social economic profile.

Egbetokun enumerated such crimes to include traditional crimes of stealing, cross border robberies, human goods, drugs trafficking, small arms and light weapons smuggling, banditry, terrorism, as well as other non-state actors.

He further said that cybercrime and cyber-enabled crimes were now emerging as bigger challenges to the subregion’s security.

The I-G said that a critical hindrance to effective regional law enforcement operations and criminal justice delivery initiatives was the differences in legal frameworks and legislative systems among member states.

“The situation calls for a collective review of the multivarious legal framework and regulates law enforcement and criminal justice delivery system.

“It also calls for a stronger operational partnership that will encourage the evolution of workable protocol that will engender stronger operational integration amongst security forces and border management agencies within the sub region,” Egbetokun said.

Also speaking, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatah Musah, said that the fast evolution of information technology had further sophisticated the platforms and tactics used by criminal networks against targets.

Represented by Dr Abdourahmane Dieng, the Permanent Secretary, WAPCCO, Musah said that crime and criminality continued to pose a big threat to lives and property in the subregion, thereby creating an unconditional environment for meaningful development.

The commissioner said that security and law enforcement agents in the region had for so many years focused on territorial, aerial and maritime borders as key points for close surveillance against crime.

“However, with the dynamic availability and capacity of cyberspace, which transcends beyond geographical borders, criminality has become more efficient, faster and safer for criminals to execute.

“Therefore, our mandate is to increase our capacity on the fight against transnational border crime of all forms which include employing training and operational strategies.

“The illicit traffic and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human smuggling activities, armed robbery, illicit migration, child trafficking and labor, kidnapping, abduction, maritime piracy are but a few of the main highlights trending in our region,” Musah said.

He, therefore, urged the participants to share, inform, exchange and discuss issues and activities surrounding training and operations in their respective member states with a view to coming up with joint strategies on security personnel’s training and operations.

The Director, Interpol Regional Bureau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Paule Ouedrago, said the transnational dimension of the crimes required collaboration between countries, adding that the Regional Office would support the efforts through international police cooperation.

She called for the strengthening of collaboration between the Permanent Secretariat of the Committee of Police Chiefs and her office in the organisation and implementation of police training and operations.

“This is how, together, we will succeed in dismantling and disrupting the criminal networks that undermine the tireless development efforts,”Ouedrago added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

Mr Hidayet Bayraktar, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, says cultural diplomacy will deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the envoy made this known at the opening of a solo art exhibition by Imal Silva titled “An Ode to Existence’’, on Friday in Abuja.

Bayraktar said the artwork of the earth was a platform for environmental activism.

“Also, art strives to create and develop an artistic space for sustainability by fostering connections among diverse communities.

“In our bid to strengthen and deepen the cultural diplomacy with Nigeria, we, as Turkish embassy, support Nigeria artists and display their precious artworks at our embassy’s exhibition hall.

“The artist’s work, `An Ode to Existence’, portrays the expression of nature’s colours which serve as a way to convey the beauty, complexities of nature, seasons, landscapes and natural phenomena.

“Through contemporary art exhibitions and cross-cultural dialogue, we do not only share the wall of our embassy, but also we aim to strengthen and deepen the cultural diplomacy with Nigeria.

“My profound gratitude goes to the artist for the gift of creativity in his work and also to extend my thanks to the curator Mrs Beste Gursu, for her relentless efforts towards the Nigerian artists.”

Speaking, Silva lauded the Ambassador and his wife for the opportunity and the platform to exhibit his work to an audience of art lovers.

“The platform created is not just for me alone but for many other Nigerian artists. I thank the curator for the encouragement, about a year plus this exhibition wouldn’t have been possible.

“My abstract renditions about the earth and our responsibilities toward the earth and also within that one year plus I was able to write some poems for mother earth to us,’’ he said.

Also, Gursu thanked the Ambassador for opening his doors to artists from the two countries to exhibit their work for a period of 20 months.

“I thank ambassador Bayraktar for opening the embassy doors for the period of 20 months, allowing us to organise our first five events, four of which were Nigerian artists and one from a Turkish artist.

“At this point, I want to appreciate the ambassador for the support he is giving to Nigerian art and artists.

”Our exhibition today is that of an abstract work by Silva after our figurative Nigerian art exhibition, this is the first time we are presenting an abstract work in Nigeria,’’ she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Fortune Abang

Mr Ali Khwaja, Chairman of KTrade Securities, a Pakistani-based stock and commodity outfit, says the U.S. inflation can impact negatively on the developing world.

Khwaja, who communicated this during a virtual analysis of the KTrade Securities research report, said the highlight had become important because the U.S. grappled with persistent inflation.

He said that no country was immune to fallout of inflation, adding that the U.S. was not immune to fallout either.

“Concerns are about possible 1970-style stagflation amid slowing economy and stubborn inflation.’’

According to him, small and medium businesses can bear the brunt due to compounding impact of high inflation in the mass market.

“Inflation effects often add up; when things become too expensive that people start cutting-down on expenditure and new hiring in businesses, a recession is in sight.

“Next year, when people try to remortgage their homes, they will find it is very expensive, as seven per cent is a very high interest rate.”

He quoted the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, to have expressed confidence in curbing inflation, saying it was not as high as it was after the Producer Price Index (PPI).

He cited the recent data from the U.S. Labor Department to have pointed to a 0.5 per cent uptick in the PPI for April and a rebound from the 0.1per cent dip in March.

“Earlier, the U.S. Commerce Department stated consumer prices witnessed a 3.4 per cent year-on-year increase in the first quarter, much higher than the two per cent target.

“These figures dented hope; yet for rate cuts within the year, dealing another blow to market expectations after several wrecked rate-cut prospects since the beginning of the year.

“This will change dynamics, because interest rates are already at 23 year high as the impact of high interest rates has not come to small business owners and real estate owners.

“Debt contracts they had are not up for re-pricing; when re-pricing kicks in later this year, it will be a massive hit to consumers that can lead to recession later this year and through 2025.’’

The chairman explained that the costs of debt servicing are soaring; particularly in currencies across Asian markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India which are at historic lows.

“In some cases, central banks have to intervene to defend their currencies; when a protectionism policy is adopted, it will be very difficult to control inflation.

“The reason why the world had a period of low inflation and high growth was because of the benefit of trade.

“Yet over the last five years, protectionism has led to lesser trade, higher tariffs on consumption and higher fuel prices, all of which contributed to higher inflation,” he said.

He decried manipulation of economics for political gains as a way to likely backfire, stating that higher inflation led to political and societal friction by creating a gap between the rich and the poor.

Khwaja also said such could strain the economy of any country.

He quoted Dr Abid Suleri, Executive-Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), saying if high inflation persists, the new government faces challenges in meeting expectations of the electorate.

“The first thing the new U.S. administration might do after the election is to reassess the real value of dollars.

“It has two options; in my opinion, one is to depreciate the value of U.S. dollar vis-a-vis other major currencies; which is a step no outgoing government will like to take.

“Otherwise, the U.S. itself will become more and more non-competitive; not only against China but also against the EU, Japan and other trading nations,” Suleri said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Chijioke Okoronkwo