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ECOWAS Parliament adopts protocols for smooth operations

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The sixth parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) at the 2024 second extraordinary session of the parliament holding in Kano, North West Nigeria, considered and adopted crucial parliamentary instruments to guide the progress and implementation of its mandate.

The instruments consist of the rules of procedure, the strategic plan and the 2024 work plan of the parliament.

Acting Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament and Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in his speech at the session’s opening, stressed the importance of the protocols in facilitating the work of the parliament.

“This Extraordinary Session is unique on several counts. During this session, we are expected to hold deliberations and adopt three very important instruments which bear heavily on the progress and effective implementation of our mandate.

They are The Rules of Procedure of the Sixth Legislature, which was deferred from our inaugural session—the Strategic Plan of the Sixth Legislature and 2024 Annual Work Plan.

“You would agree with me that our Rules of Procedure are very important as they make us more efficient and serve as our guide, thereby reducing the chances of our actions and decisions being challenged for procedural deficiencies.

“The Strategic Plan, on the other hand, will serve as a crucial and indispensable tool in ensuring that our programs and activities are directly linked with the overall strategic institutional objectives of ECOWAS, while our Work Plan will set the agenda for our engagements this year, he said.

The adoption of these instruments now sets the stage for the full commencement of parliamentary activities by the community parliament.

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Stop Dragging NBA into Kano Emirate Tussle – Barrister Nafisa Replies Gandu

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The Chairperson of the Northern Women Lawyers Congress Barrister Nafisa Abba has called on Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu to stop dragging the Nigeria Bar Association into the State Emirate Tussle which is before the court of law.

It would be recalled that the lawyer has advised Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II to tender his statement to the Police in regards to the sallah durbar incident that led to the lost of lives, reminding the Emir that he is not above the law.

But in a response, Badamasi Gandu, a lawyer, described the call as unprofessional and unbecoming of a member of the Kano Bar.

” I was amazed by the response of my colleague Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu, it’s so sad that a lawyer like him would go so low like this; lawyers are known for always being comprehensive to any matter before making their opinion.

As the Chairperson of Northern Women Lawyers Congress, we have the right to issue a statement, it’s our constitutional responsibility, we didn’t do that on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association; it’s ridiculous that Badamasi is bringing NBA into the matter.

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All we are saying is for Emir and his supporters to stop using faceless organisations on this matter.

Like I did, I wrote my name, and the organisation I’m representing is not a pseudonym.

Badamasi Gandu has taken side on the matter. Everyone knows that he is a kwankwasiyya supporter but just hiding under human rights activism.

It’s good that you have shown the world your true colour. ” She said.

The lawyer further maintains her stands that the Emir is not above the law while asking him to tender his statement before the police for the interest of peace and the rule of law.

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Court Halts Federal Government’s Kano-Niger Railway Project Over Land Dispute

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The Kano State High Court has issued a restraining order against the Federal Government, halting the continuation of the ongoing railway project from Kano to Daura and onward to the Niger Republic, on land belonging to residents of the Kuyan Ta Inna community.

The court, presided over by Justice Usman Na Abba, ruled that any such construction must follow due legal process, including consultation with landowners and the provision of adequate compensation

Nigerian Tracker reports that the injunction came in response to a suit filed by the Kano Property Agent Development Association (KAFADA), which represents affected landowners in the area.

The suit names the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Transport, and the compensation consultant as defendants, accusing them of attempting to issue what it describes as “incommensurable” compensation to property owners.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Usman Baito, stated that the court’s ruling affirms that moving forward with the railway project on community land without following appropriate legal procedures would constitute a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

Baito added that the court emphasized the necessity of thorough consultation, transparency, and equitable compensation before any land can be lawfully acquired for such a major project.

“The judgment reinforces the rights of the Kuyan Ta Inna residents,” Baito said. “Any attempt to sidestep these procedures is not only unlawful but a direct violation of the constitutional rights of the people.”

The Chairman of KAFADA, Isa Jibrin Isa, acknowledged the community’s willingness to cooperate with the government.

He noted that the property owners are not opposed to the railway development but are insisting that all actions must be carried out within the bounds of the law.

“We are open to dialogue and ready to sign a compensation agreement,” Isa said, “but only if it is based on fair valuation and in line with legal provisions. Our people deserve justice, not exploitation.”

Efforts to reach representatives of the Federal Government or the project contractor were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

 

 

 

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Kano Durbar: Lawyers accuse FG Of moves To discredit Emir Sanusi

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A group of Kano-based human rights lawyers has alleged that Federal Government political plot against Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II necessitated the cancellation of Sallah durbar festivities across Kano emirates.

In a strongly worded petition submitted to Kano State Commissioner of Police, the National Forum of Kano Indigene Lawyers also alleged that security alert raised as justification for imposing the ban lacked merit and may be a veiled move to curtail the influence of the reinstated Emir of Kano.

The police prohibited the UNESCO certified Kano cultural status as intangible heritage of humanity, after sensing security breach even when the 15th emir Aminu Ado Bayero cancelled his planned paralleled Durbar.

Addressing journalists shortly after submitting their letter to the police commissioner, leader of the lawyers, Barrister Usman Imam Tudun Wazirchi insisted the ban was unnecessary.

Tudun Wazirchi said the so-called security threat has no substantial basis, claiming that “If Durbars were allowed to hold in high-risk states like Borno, Katsina, and Zamfara, why not Kano?

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“Even during Boko Haram’s peak, such total bans were not implemented,” the lawyers emphasized.

The lawyers accused “unpatriotic citizens” and political actors of instigating fears in the minds of peaceful residents simply to prevent the cultural pageantry associated with Emir Sanusi’s return to palace. They argued that the ban not only infringes on cultural rights but also represents a broader attack on constitutional freedoms.

Referring to the recent Court of Appeal judgment that upheld Sanusi’s position, the letter warned against using law enforcement to carry out political persecution.

The lawyers also addressed their concerns to international bodies, including the UN, EU, and African Union, signaling a desire to draw global attention to what they called “an orchestrated attack on Kano’s heritage and legitimate royal leadership.”

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