Nigeria: Amnesty International and others demand justice for victims of enforced disappearances in Northeast

Responding to the Nigerian government’s receipt of our application filed with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice to demand justice for cases of enforced disappearances recorded in the Northeast of Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director said: “By allowing the military to carry out thousands of enforced disappearances in the country’s Northeast and subsequently failing to genuinely and effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible, the Nigerian government has violated its international and regional human rights obligations and has failed victims. “The ECOWAS Court represents one of the few remaining avenues for accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances in Northeast Nigeria and their families, who deserve to know the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. The ECOWAS court can help bring about justice by clearly calling out as human rights violations the failure of the Nigerian authorities to properly investigate and prosecute.” We welcome the receipt of our application by the Nigerian government, symbolizing that this is now a pending case, and the victims will get their day in court. But this is just the first step. We call on the Nigerian authorities to cooperate closely with the Court in its proceedings, to conduct an independent, impartial and effective investigation into all cases of enforced disappearances in Northeast Nigeria, and where admissible evidence exists, to prosecute all those suspected of criminal responsibility in relation to the disappearances. Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director Background In its 2015 report, Stars on their shoulders. Blood on their hands, Amnesty International concluded that Nigerian security forces have committed war crimes and other serious human right violations, including enforced disappearances, during the course of its military operations in Northeast Nigeria against the armed group, Boko Haram. The whereabouts of thousands of people detained by Nigerian forces in the Northeast still remain unknown. To date, Nigerian authorities have failed to conduct genuine, independent and effective investigations and prosecutions of these crimes. Last month, Amnesty International, together with the Sterling Centre for Law and Development and 23 victims and survivors, filed a case at the ECOWAS Court to seek long-awaited justice, truth and reparations for those disappeared and their families. Source amnesty international

IGP Reaffirms Commitment To Police Reform

The Inspector General of Police Abdoulie Sanyang reaffirmed his commitment to reforming The Gambia Police Force during a visit to in-service training for traffic officers on November 7, 2023, at Police Training School in Banjulunding. Under the leadership of IGP Sanyang, The Gambia Police Force is actively engaged in reforms aimed at meeting international standards and transitioning into a model of democratic policing. These reform efforts encompass various units, including the mobile traffic unit, which is currently undergoing comprehensive training in traffic management. The training spans fundamental skills to advanced techniques, equipping officers with the necessary tools to better serve the public. During his address to the officers, IGP Sanyang emphasized the vital role of the training in these ongoing reforms and extended recognition to the German trainers for their contributions. The Gambia Police Force remains steadfast in its dedication to improving services provided to the public through these reform initiatives.

In The Case Of Health Ministry Officials Satang B. Houma Testified As PW 1

State First Witness Testifies In Health Ministry Officials Corruption, Forgery, Theft, Conspiracy, and Economic Crimes Trial In the Corruption, Forgery, Theft, Conspiracy, and Economic Crimes trial involving three Ministry of Health officials, the state has called its first prosecution witness (PW1). The accused are Balla Kandeh, Omar Malleh Ceesay, and Muhammadou Lamin Jaiteh, three(3) Health Officials were Arraigned for corruption, forgery, theft, conspiracy, and economic crimes total of 19 charges were brought against them. When the case was called the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) A.M. Yusuf informed the court of the readiness of the state to proceed with the hearing and present their first witness to testify. However, Counsel Lamin L.S. Camara, representing the accused persons, noted that the original indictment lacks the statements of the witnesses expected to testify. Additionally, the voluntary and cautionary statements of the accused persons were also not attached to the original indictment. Counsel Camara requested that the defence be provided with all necessary documents that the prosecution intends to rely upon in the trial before the commencement of the hearing. The presiding Judge Justice Ebrima Jaiteh directed the DPP A.M. Yusuf to ensure the defence is supplied with the required documents they intend to rely on for their preparation. The state Conusel promised to supply all the documents. Subsequently, the state called its first witness, Satang B. Houma, who informed the court that she was the Financial Controller of the Project Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Health. Satang B. Houma, also told the court that she is a Chartered Accountant, and stated that she began working with the Ministry of Health in January 2018. When asked if she recognized the accused individuals, she identified two of them – Balla Kandeh (the 1st accused person), who was the Project Manager of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) when she joined the Project Unit, and Muhammadou Lamin Jaiteh (the 3rd accused person), who was later appointed as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. Regarding her role as the Financial Controller of the Project Coordination Unit, Satang B. Houma explained that her office is responsible for the financial management of the Ministry of Health. She testified that her unit handles the finances of development partners' projects. "The Program Unit submits requests to the Project Coordination Unit, which verifies whether the requests align with the approved budget. If approved, the funds are endorsed for disbursement by the Permanent Secretary," she explained. At this point, since the defence is yet to receive the witness statements, as well as the voluntary and cautionary statements of the accused persons, Justice Jaiteh instructed the witness to pause her testimony until the defence is provided with the necessary documents. The case was then adjourned to November 8th, 2023, for the continuation of the hearing at 12:00 Source Kexx Sanneh

Witness In The Police Shooting Says He Heard Six shots

The second prosecuting witness in the alleged PIU shooter case yesterday confirmed that he heard the sound of a pistol six times during the incident at Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights. In his examination in chief before Justice Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court, Bakary Jarju said that during the hit of the act, it was difficult to count under pressure, adding that he counted and heard six gunshots. He explained that the first shot was discharged and hit the police officer with the AK47, the second shot was fired at the other officer who was scrambling with the shooter, the third shot targeted the female officer, and the fourth one was fired at the roundabout. He said the shooter immediately bent to the right, meters away he turned and fired another shot while on the run. PW2 further explained that he could not see the shooter clearly because they were behind and chasing him. He, however, described the shooter as a tall, slim man and was wearing ‘kaftan’. In his examination in chief, L.J. Darboe, defence counsel for the first accused person, asked PW2: “As a military officer, was it your function to collect evidence to crime scenes?” Jarju indicated that it was his function to gather evidence at crime scenes as military personnel. He took an oath to protect lives and properties of people, and protect the territorial integrity of this country, he said. After the scene, he explained, he found an empty case of pistol which he eventually handed over to his friend Omar Jallow for confirmation and finally handed it to Inspector Bah, after he was made to understand that Mr Bah was a police officer at the Anti-Crime Unit. The case was adjourned until 13 November 2023 for continuation of examination in chief of PW2

26 Persons Convicted For Violating Operation Clear The Roads

At least 56 people were last week arrested for being non-compliant with the police operations designed to dismantle illegal structures of the highways. Twenty-six were arraigned before a court and sentenced to pay a fine of D1000 each after they pleaded guilty. The rest are expected to be arraigned before the court today to answer to the charges levelled against them. This development was confirmed by the acting police spokesperson, Cadet ASP Modou Sissaho during a short visit by the GPF Taskforce headed by Landing Bojang and accompanied by Police Commissioner King Colley and other senior officers to Abuko where 51 cattle were confined as a result of loitering on the highway in various places. The said cattle were eventually taken to a designated place in Abuko, where owners were expected to come and identify their livestock. National Livestock Owners Association (NALOA) which is among the GPF Taskforce was also given the responsibility of ensuring that any cattle owner who comes to identify his or her animal pays a fine of D5,000. According to PRO Cadet ASP Sissaho, this fine of D5,000 per head of cattle was agreed by the GPF Taskforce headed by Landing Bojang and assisted by Police Commissioner King Colley. He cited that the initial arrangement per cattle was D5,500 but the Taskforce reduced it to (D5,000) per cattle. The police PRO explained that one of the reasons for coming up with the D5,000 fine is to ensure that livestock owners take full responsibility of their animals. “This will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said, while indicating that serious accidents sometimes occur as a result of cattle loitering on the road. He emphasised that GPF has established a monitoring team for the operation to clear the road and anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law. He added that the operation spares no one as it is national duty. Ebrima O. Jallow, president of NALOA, confirmed that the confined cattle were picked from various locations within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region. He said this was part of the operation to clear the road. He seized the opportunity to plead with the Taskforce to reduce the said charges for the cattle owners as things are difficult.

SPECIAL SECURITY OPERATION REMOVES FIFTY-ONE CATTLE FROM OUR HIGHWAYS

The Livestock Owners Association's component of the task force has successfully removed fifty-one (51) cattle from our highways, spanning from Brikama Nyambai to Brusubi Turntable. As previously announced, cattle owners have been reporting to Abuko to identify their cattle. Following this process, the task force has returned twenty-two (22) cattle to their respective owners after they provided evidence of ownership and witnesses. For each cattle, the owner is asked to pay D5,000.00 and issued a strong warning that if these cattle are found on the roads again, owners will be prosecuted. The public, especially cattle owners, are reminded to keep their animals off public utility areas, and anyone found in violation will be subject to the above-mentioned penalties