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From: Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court yesterday declared the removal of Vice President of Sierra Leone, Sam Sumana from office in March 2015 by President Ernet Koroma an act of illegality and unconstitutional.
In a unanimous judgment, the regional court said his unilateral removal from office by President Koroma, violated his fundamental human rights to fair hearing as guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights citing particular Articles 7 and 13 and other international human rights instruments.
Mr. Sumana in his $210 million lawsuit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/38/16 challenged the Government of Sierra Leone for what he calls his “unconstitutional” removal from office.
Sumana’s removal from office after the two former allies fell out, triggered a year-long constitutional crisis that ended in the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the latter.
The president defended his decision on the fact that Sumana was partyless, following his dismissal from the governing APC party on allegation of anti-party activities, among others.
Sierra Leone Attorney General Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara had filed a response to the court asserting that ECOWAS Court doesn’t have jurisdiction to the case which has been adjudicated by Sierra Leone Supreme Court.
However, in its judgement delivered by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, the court dismissed the argument of Sierra Leone, government to the effect that the ECOWAS Court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.
Other members on the three- man panel were Justice Hameye Foune Mahal-madane and Alioune Sall.
