• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Opinion
  • Columns
  • Exposé
  • World
  • Lifestyle
West Africa Moves Toward Unified Driver’s License System

ECOWAS Court Orders Sierra Leone To Scrap Loitering Laws For Human Rights Compliance

10 months ago
Journalists Forced To Join Army In Burkina Faso - Report

Burkina Faso: 50 Civilians Slain In Jihadist Attacks Since May – HRW

12 hours ago
Zambia Seals $1.1bn Deal With Chinese Firm To Construct 60,000 BPD Refinery

Zambia: Court Jails Two Men Over Attempt To Kill President Hichilema With Witchcraft

15 hours ago
Libya Declares Emergency As Devastating Storm Daniel Hits Eastern Region

Pakistan: Punjab Flood Survivors Head Back Home As Water Levels Recedes

20 hours ago
MWC Kigali
Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

20 hours ago
Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

24 hours ago
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
  • About
  • HT Management
  • Privacy Policy
Heritage Times
No Result
View All Result
Translate |
  • Login
  • Politics
    Malawi: Campaigns End Ahead Of Tuesday Presidential Polls

    Malawi: Campaigns End Ahead Of Tuesday Presidential Polls

    Tanzania: Electoral Body Accepts Candidacy Of Opposition Figure After Court Ruling

    Tanzania: Electoral Body Accepts Candidacy Of Opposition Figure After Court Ruling

    Albania: PM Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Minister To Oversee Public Tenders

    Albania: PM Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Minister To Oversee Public Tenders

    South Sudan: US Calls For Release Of Detained First VP

    South Sudan: Murder, Treason Charges Against Vice President Sparks Tension With Opposition

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    At Washington Meeting, Trump Confronts Ramaphosa With Video Evidence Of “Genocide” Against Whites

    Trump Not Attending G20 Summit Taking Place First Time In Africa — White House

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    Uganda: “Missing” Student Jailed Over TikTok Video Criticizing President Yoweri

    Uganda: Opposition Figure Arrested In Court During Colleagues Bail Hearing

  • Economy
    Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

    Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

    Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

    Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

    Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

    Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

    AfDB: Egypt To Receive $271 Agricultural Loan To Promote Food Security

    Africa’s Transition States Need $210bn Yearly To Power Transformation – AfDB

    EXPLAINER: 10 Things To Note About Nigeria’s New Tax ID Rules

    EXPLAINER: 10 Things To Note About Nigeria’s New Tax ID Rules

    Nigeria: Govt Inaugurates Committees For Civil Service Personnel Audit

    Nigeria: Govt Launches Civil Service Audit, Targets Future-Ready Workforce

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
  • Politics
    Malawi: Campaigns End Ahead Of Tuesday Presidential Polls

    Malawi: Campaigns End Ahead Of Tuesday Presidential Polls

    Tanzania: Electoral Body Accepts Candidacy Of Opposition Figure After Court Ruling

    Tanzania: Electoral Body Accepts Candidacy Of Opposition Figure After Court Ruling

    Albania: PM Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Minister To Oversee Public Tenders

    Albania: PM Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Minister To Oversee Public Tenders

    South Sudan: US Calls For Release Of Detained First VP

    South Sudan: Murder, Treason Charges Against Vice President Sparks Tension With Opposition

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    At Washington Meeting, Trump Confronts Ramaphosa With Video Evidence Of “Genocide” Against Whites

    Trump Not Attending G20 Summit Taking Place First Time In Africa — White House

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    Uganda: “Missing” Student Jailed Over TikTok Video Criticizing President Yoweri

    Uganda: Opposition Figure Arrested In Court During Colleagues Bail Hearing

  • Economy
    Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

    Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

    Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

    Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

    Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

    Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

    AfDB: Egypt To Receive $271 Agricultural Loan To Promote Food Security

    Africa’s Transition States Need $210bn Yearly To Power Transformation – AfDB

    EXPLAINER: 10 Things To Note About Nigeria’s New Tax ID Rules

    EXPLAINER: 10 Things To Note About Nigeria’s New Tax ID Rules

    Nigeria: Govt Inaugurates Committees For Civil Service Personnel Audit

    Nigeria: Govt Launches Civil Service Audit, Targets Future-Ready Workforce

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
No Result
View All Result
First with the News

ECOWAS Court Orders Sierra Leone To Scrap Loitering Laws For Human Rights Compliance

November 8, 2024
in Top Stories, World
0
West Africa Moves Toward Unified Driver’s License System

Flags of ECOWAS member states.

0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

By Ebi Kesiena

The ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja has ruled that Sierra Leone’s loitering laws violate fundamental human rights and has ordered the country to repeal or amend them.

Relatedreading

Burkina Faso: 50 Civilians Slain In Jihadist Attacks Since May – HRW

Zambia: Court Jails Two Men Over Attempt To Kill President Hichilema With Witchcraft

Justice Edward Asante, delivering the verdict, emphasized that these laws infringe upon rights to freedom of movement and equality, contravening the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

MWC Kigali MWC Kigali MWC Kigali
ADVERTISEMENT

The court, therefore, ordered Sierra Leone to undertake legislative reforms to amend, modify, or outrightly repeal the country’s loitering laws to comply with its human rights obligations under the African Charter.

According to the Community Court, the laws violate the right to non-discrimination and equal protection under Articles 2 and 3(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It added that the laws also imposed unwarranted restrictions on the people’s freedom of movement, which is contrary to Article 12(1) of the African Charter.

The court further noted that vague terms in the loitering laws, such as “idle” and “disorderly,” created opportunities for arbitrary enforcement.

This, it said, perpetuated discrimination against economically disadvantaged individuals and did not meet the standards of legality, necessity, and proportionality in a democratic society.

It further ordered Sierra Leone to comply with the country’s obligations under Articles 1, 2, 3(1), and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Sierra Leonean NGO, Advocaid Ltd, had filed the suit on 12 April 2022, challenging certain provisions of Sierra Leone’s Public Order Act.

The organisation also challenged the country’s Summary Conviction Offences Ordinance, and the Criminal Procedure Act, which authorise the police to arrest any person found loitering in a public place and cannot give a good account of himself or herself.

The applicant contended that maintaining and enforcing these laws violated the principles of non-discrimination, equality before the law, and freedom of movement, particularly concerning impoverished and marginalised people.

The court, however, ordered each party to bear their own costs in the suit.

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

At MAN AGM, NCDMB Underlines Importance Of Manufacturing, R&D To 70% Local Content Target

Next Post

Morocco’s Iconic Museum Of Modern Art Marks 10-year Anniversary

Related Posts

Journalists Forced To Join Army In Burkina Faso - Report

Burkina Faso: 50 Civilians Slain In Jihadist Attacks Since May – HRW

September 15, 2025
Zambia Seals $1.1bn Deal With Chinese Firm To Construct 60,000 BPD Refinery

Zambia: Court Jails Two Men Over Attempt To Kill President Hichilema With Witchcraft

September 15, 2025

Pakistan: Punjab Flood Survivors Head Back Home As Water Levels Recedes

Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

Next Post
Morocco’s Iconic Museum Of Modern Art Marks 10-year Anniversary

Morocco's Iconic Museum Of Modern Art Marks 10-year Anniversary

Please login to join discussion
MWC Kigali MWC Kigali MWC Kigali
AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2

Updates

Plugin Install : Widget Tab Post needs JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Journalists Forced To Join Army In Burkina Faso - Report

Burkina Faso: 50 Civilians Slain In Jihadist Attacks Since May – HRW

September 15, 2025
Zambia Seals $1.1bn Deal With Chinese Firm To Construct 60,000 BPD Refinery

Zambia: Court Jails Two Men Over Attempt To Kill President Hichilema With Witchcraft

September 15, 2025
Libya Declares Emergency As Devastating Storm Daniel Hits Eastern Region

Pakistan: Punjab Flood Survivors Head Back Home As Water Levels Recedes

September 15, 2025
Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

September 15, 2025
JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia
ADVERTISEMENT

Most Recent

Burkina Faso: 50 Civilians Slain In Jihadist Attacks Since May – HRW

September 15, 2025

Zambia: Court Jails Two Men Over Attempt To Kill President Hichilema With Witchcraft

September 15, 2025

Pakistan: Punjab Flood Survivors Head Back Home As Water Levels Recedes

September 15, 2025

Botswana: Nigerian National Appointed As Head Of SWF

September 15, 2025

Why Canada Rejected Over 1,500 Nigerian Asylum Applications In 2025

September 15, 2025

Afreximbank Signs $500m Deal To Boost Nigeria’s Gas Infrastructure

September 14, 2025

US Secretary Of States Rubio In Israel After Strike On Qatar

September 14, 2025

Venezuela: Civilians Train On Shooting Skills Amid US Threats

September 14, 2025

About

Heritage Times HT stands as a beacon of pan-African journalism, dedicated to amplyfing the rich tapestry of voices and narratives across the continent. With unwavering commitment, we illuminate the evocative essence of Africa, offering a fresh perspective that captivates our global audience.

Featured

One Year of Transformative Stewardship: Walson-Jack’s Innovative Impact on Nigeria’s Civil Service

Africa’s Largest Tech Event, MWC25 Kigali, Returns With Focus On Innovation, Policy

Nadine Djuiko: Meet The Cameroonian Woman Behind Maryland’s Million-Dollar Braiding Empire

Connect

Connect with us on social media and receive timely updates on the go.

Get Updates

  • About
  • HT Management
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Welcome
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Exposé
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Columns
    • Opinion
  • World
  • __________________
  • Make a Donation
  • Photo Speaks
  • Videos
  • You-Report
  • Whistleblower
  • Advertise
  • HT Events
  • HT Management
  • About HT
  • Contact us

© 2025 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In