Headlinenews.news correspondents reported the Court Case instituted by an NGO Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa led by Professor Bola Akinterinwa and Hamza Dantani from Yobe State at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja.
The Subject matter of the proceedings concerns the ECOWAS proposed acts of aggression (including cutting off the power supply to Niger), Economic sanctions (closing the borders) & military action to invade the Republic of Niger following the Coup that took place in Niger on the 26tg of July 2023 with the removal of President Mohammed Bazoum and installation of General Tchiani as the head of the new military Junta.
The Plaintiffs stated that the proposed military intervention, Economic sanctions, closure of borders, cutting off electricity supply, would constitute as acts of aggression between ECOWAS member States and specifically violates articles 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 & 24 of the African Charter on Human & Peoples’ Rights; Articles 1,(2),2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights;
Article, 1, 3, 22, 23, (3), 25, (1) & 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948;
Article1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 & 10 of the Declaration on the Right to Development 1986;
Articles 6, 15, 31, 63 & 64 of the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States.
Articles 10 (a), 22, 26, 27, 28, 56 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peace-Keeping & Security 1999.
The Plaintiffs through their Solicitor Kayode Ajulo have notified President Tinubu and ECOWAS with a letter and served the Court Processes accordingly to all Defendants.
The National Patriots, Nigerians United for Peace represented by Dr. G. Fraser MFR have confirmed support for this action in order to ensure the restoration of Peace in the sub region and explore diplomatic avenues to resolving the issues at stake. Dr. Fraser condemns in totality those promoting war for their own selfish agenda as the budget for the Niger war is estimated at about N1.5 trillion.
This Court action shall save lives and prevent any bloodshed regarding the Niger Crisis. She commends the Junta for appointing a Prime Minister and hopes ECOWAS will reciprocate with opening up borders and restoring electricity to Niger. This is a well timed Suit for which all parties should respond positively for the best interest of the region.
We also appeal to President Tinubu to restore electricity to the Republic of Niger immediately in compliance with the rule of law.
Dr. G. Fraser MFR.
This historic case seeks a declaration that the Defendants
failure to prioritise the fundamental human rights of its citizens in their proposed military intervention in the Republic of Niger amounts to the breach of fundamental human rights as encapsulated in the African Charter on Human & Peoples’ rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and the Declaration on the Right to Development 1986.
* A Declaration that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Defendants resolution to use Military intervention with the aim to resolving the Coup by the 5th Defendant will amount to the breach of the fundamental human rights to life, right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom to peaceful Assembly & association, right to acquire & own properties, right to private life & family, right to fairhearing, right to freedom from discrimination as encapsulated in the African Charter on Human & Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and the Declaration on the Right of Development 1986.
* A Declaration that the ECOWAS Revised Treaty prohibits aggression between member States.
* A Declaration that any form of military intervention by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Defendants in the Republic of Niger runs afoul of the obligations in the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and is therefore illegal.
* An Order Restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Defendants and/ their agents, privies, representatives either alone or in collaboration with other ECOWAS member States or their agents and privies from any military Invasion or any military invasion or any military action in the Republic of Niger that might undermine the Republic of Niger’s sovereignty & territorial integrity.
The Headlinenews.news and the Nigerians United for Peace (NUP) conducted Opinion Polls in the last 72 hrs with random sampling of respondents through the length & breadth of Nigeria within the target groups regarding the opinion of Nigerians regarding the Niger Crisis, If they believe Nigeria or ECOWAS should conduct military intervention in the Republic of Niger, Place Economic Sanctions, Close all Borders, Cut off Electricity Supply to Niger etc.
93% of those interviewed responded for peace.
They rejected the action of ECOWAS & Nigeria as biased, impulsive, provocative & questioned its legality.
80% felt that Nigeria should focus on her internal problems and leave Niger to their internal issues especially as the Coup is popular and the People are happy about it.
76% of those interviewed wanted Peace in the Sub region. They considered the action of ECOWAS and Nigeria as hasty.
65% lamented that President Tinubu did not have good advisers & needs retired military men, Career Diplomats with experience in Foreign Affairs in his government.
90% are pleased with this Court case and commend the idea and Plaintiffs.
In the meantime, Fides Justicia Associates has offered to assist in whatever way required in order to ensure the success of this Suit.
Imran Khazaly
Headlinenews.news
