The ECOWAS Court of Justice has declared as illegal the 2015 removal of Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Samuel Sam-Sumana from office, by the country’s President, Ernest Koroma.
Today, Monday, November 27, the court ruled that Vice President Sam-Sumana’s fundamental human rights to fair hearing and to participate in politics, as guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights were violated.
The Court dismissed, in from the start, the argument of Sierra Leone to the effect that the ECOWAS Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
The ECOWAS Court held that it had jurisdiction to hear the Application by Mr. Sam-Sumana in defense of his Fundamental Human Rights.
The court also declared that the removal of Mr. Sam-Sumana from office was wrong, as it violated his right to appeal the decision, and therefore his right to Natural Justice and to a fair hearing, and further occasioned a violation of his right to participate in politics.
Mr. Sam-Sumana is also to receive all his salaries and emoluments from the day of his removal to date, as well as the cost of his legal fees.
Some other reliefs sought by Mr. Sam-Sumana were however not granted by the court, because they have either elapsed or hinge on the domestic laws of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sam-Sumana was represented by two law firms from Nigeria and Ghana, Falana & Falana and Atuguba & Associates, led by Femi Falana and Dr. Raymond Atuguba.
Background
In 2015, the Sierra Leone Presidency said Mr. Sam-Sumana was sacked for seeking political asylum in a foreign embassy.
President Koroma was said to have dismissed him because he had “abandoned” his duties.
Mr. Sam-Sumana said he had sought asylum in the US because his life was in danger.
Prior to this, the ruling party had expelled Mr. Sam-Sumana after accusing him of trying to form a breakaway party
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana