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ECOWAS Court wants judicial systems of Member States harmonised

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Justice
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President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Edward Asante has advocated for the harmonization of the judicial systems of Member States in order to attain a Community legal regime that supports the region’s integration objectives.

Asante made this known while making a presentation at a judicial forum for judges, magistrates and officials of the Kwara state judiciary in Ilorin during the Court’s ongoing week-long sensitization campaign in the state.

The Communications Department of the ECOWAS Court disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Asante in the presentation delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki, said harmonization of the ECOWAS judicial system can be achieved through the alignment of the legal texts of the Community with those of the States.

Asante stressed that the relationship between the ECOWAS and national courts as ‘a crucial element in the integration process of ECOWAS.’

“It is therefore of utmost importance that Member States of ECOWAS domesticate the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and the Protocols and Supplementary Acts of the Community.

“It is also imperative, to deepen the relationship between the judges of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the national courts of ECOWAS Member States,” Asante said.

Asante stated that with the international character of the ECOWAS Court and its long held position, it is neither in competition with national courts nor an appellate court over its decisions.

He explained that the ECOWAS Court and National Courts play complementary roles in the dispensation of justice and the integration of the region.

“In a long chain of decisions, the ECOWAS Court of Justice has consistently held that it is not an appellate Court over national Courts of Member States.

“And has maintained that it has no jurisdiction to make any declaration on the Judgments of national courts, except where the national Courts or parties refer issues of interpretation of Community texts.”

He stated that the ECOWAS Court only that the national courts have the obligation to implement the decisions of the Court.

The President identified the possible areas of conflict between the regional and national courts to include their co-location within the same geographical space; their concurrent human rights jurisdiction.

Other areas of conflict to include “the lack of requirement for the exhaustion of local remedies before the ECOWAS court which could result in forum shopping.

“The failure by Member States to domesticate the Revised Treaty of 1993 and the Protocol on the Court in accordance with their treaty obligations.

“Failure by Member States to comply with or enforce the Judgments of the Court; the gaps in the ECOWAS legal texts.

“And the municipal laws of Member States leading to the failure to clearly define the relationship between both courts.

Chief Judge of Kwara, Justice Sulyman Kawu praised the thoughtfulness of the regional court in organizing the campaign.

Kawu said the sensitisation would not only create greater awareness of the Court among the citizens but open the door for more legal practitioners from the state to ‘ply their trade before the court’ and widen their scope of the law.

He reminded those with judicial powers of the ‘enormous and far reaching powers they exercise over our fellow men and women.

This he said requires legal practitioners to exhibit good character, reputation, diligence, hard work, honesty, integrity, sound knowledge of the law and consistent adherence to professional ethics.

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International

UK Announces Tight Security, Road Closures Ahead of President Tinubu’s State Visit to Windsor Castle

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President Bola Tinubu with King Charles
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Authorities in the United Kingdom have announced road closures and temporary airspace restrictions ahead of the arrival of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a state visit hosted by Charles III.

President Tinubu is expected to begin the visit on Wednesday, March 18, accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. An official reception for the Nigerian leader is scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said it is working closely with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other security partners to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly and securely.

As part of the heightened security arrangements, authorities confirmed that the permanent airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle will be extended on March 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of the police force’s Joint Operations Unit said the airspace limitations form only one aspect of a comprehensive security operation planned for the high-profile diplomatic engagement.

“The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not,” Hall said.

He added that the police have extensive experience managing security during royal events in Windsor, noting that significant planning and preparation have gone into the operation.

Hall also warned that the authorities would strictly enforce the restrictions, stressing that any violation would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.

Security deployment during the visit will include specialised police units such as search teams, mounted officers, road policing personnel, and armed officers. These units will operate alongside neighbourhood policing teams and resources from the Project Servator.

Officials said additional safety measures would include Windsor’s extensive closed-circuit television network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers positioned around key locations.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by contacting police through 101 or speaking directly with officers on duty. Emergencies should be reported through the 999 service.

Meanwhile, road closures and parking restrictions are set to take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with temporary traffic disruptions expected in and around Windsor during the visit.

Thames Valley Police added that it is working in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the temporary flight restrictions. Individuals with legitimate reasons to operate drones during the restricted period have been advised to seek prior clearance from the police.

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Tinubu Dispatches Delegation to Represent Nigeria at Burial of Rev. Jesse Jackson

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Late Rev Jesse Jackson
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a five-member delegation to represent Nigeria at the burial of American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84 in Chicago.

The delegation is headed by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Other members include Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs Brian Browne; and Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.

According to a State House statement issued on March 4 by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation will formally convey President Tinubu’s condolences to Jackson’s family and associates.

In an earlier tribute, Tinubu described Jackson as “a great friend of Nigeria and Africa,” highlighting his vocal opposition to apartheid in South Africa. The Nigerian leader recalled Jackson’s advocacy for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress, as well as his role in mobilising international support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Funeral events began on February 26 with a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. Additional memorial services have been held in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., including a lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse from March 1 to 5.

A “People’s Celebration” is scheduled for March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, followed by a private homegoing service on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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UK Court Jails Nigerian Man for Life Over Murder of Ex-Girlfriend

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Adedapo Adegbola and his Girlfriend
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A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, following the end of their relationship.

Adegbola was sentenced on Thursday at Nottingham Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge last month.

The court heard that Adegbola and Irons met as colleagues and were briefly in a relationship, which later ended due to what the trial judge described as Adegbola’s controlling behaviour. Prosecutors said he became fixated on Irons and planned the attack after she broke off the relationship.

On 21 October, Adegbola went to Irons’s residence in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, where she was killed. He fled the scene but surrendered himself to the police in Hull the following day.

During sentencing, members of Irons’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as compassionate and kind-hearted. Her mother told the court she was devastated by the loss, saying her daughter had a warm personality and always sought to make others happy.

Delivering judgment, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Adegbola’s refusal to accept the end of the relationship ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson commended the victim’s family for their strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 40-year-old woman, Mary Onolunosen, has been charged with assisting an offender. She is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on March 6.

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