The Ecowas Community Court of Justice on Thursday (17 Feb.) adjourned hearing in an alleged extra-judicial killing of 58 West African nationals in The Gambia.  

The case was brought by one of the victims brother, Kehinde Enagameh on 3 Sept. 2020, alleging that his brother, Omozernoje, was among the 58 people killed by security agents of the Gambian Government in 2005. 

“The deceased was among 58 citizens, comprising Nigerians, Ghanaians, Sierra Leoneans and Togolese, immigrants sailing through The Gambian waters with their international passports and other travel documents.

“They were enroute to board a fishing vessel anchored on high sea to Europe, when their boat was seized by agents of The Gambian Navy on July 21, 2005.

“Three escaped while the remaining 55 were stripped of their travel documents, monies and valuables,’’ Marshal Abubakar, Counsel to Enagameh, told the court. 

He said this was before being summarily executed on the orders of former president Yahya Jammeh on July 22 and 23, 2005 at different locations in The Gambia.

Mr Abubakar submitted to the court the newspaper report found on some of the dead bodies, and a graphic report prepared by Nigeria’s High Commission in The Gambia.

He also submitted confessions by the alleged perpetrators in the report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission that sat in The Gambia after the exit of Jammeh from power.

However, the Presiding Judge, Justice Edward Asante, adjourned for hearing after the applicant informed the court that parties were unable to reach a settlement.

The court, which resumes on 2 March, also noted the absence of the respondent state, The Gambia.