court

On Monday, January 27, the Supreme Court of Liberia found itself noticeably absent from a pivotal moment in the political arena: President Joseph Boakai's constitutionally mandated annual address. As he spoke, the seats reserved for the five justices sat barren, a striking tableau that raised eyebrows and sparked a whirlwind of speculation. Did they choose to stay away to avoid giving a nod of legitimacy to the executive branch's recognition of Richard Nagbe Koon, the ruling Unity Party's pick for Speaker of the House of…

 (CNN) — The week took an unexpected tumble when the nation’s highest court, dressed in its traditional garb of mystery, decided TikTok’s days on American soil might be numbered. In an enigmatic move, the Supreme Court cleared the path for a contentious prohibition on the app, nodding along the lines of "Seize the day, TikTok," much to the dismay of its lively community of creators and dancers. Despite effervescent protestations from the app's ownership, which framed the impending ban as a thumbing at the nose of the First…

The U.S. Supreme Court has commenced deliberations regarding a contentious law that could enforce a ban on TikTok or mandate its sale by January 19, casting a spotlight on the delicate balance between free speech rights and national security issues surrounding the popular short-video application created by the Chinese firm ByteDance. TikTok, alongside its parent company ByteDance and a handful of content creators, is fighting against a piece of legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last year, which was…

In a significant legal development, Ghana's Supreme Court has turned down two attempts aimed at halting the enactment of a contentious piece of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. This legislation, formally known as the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, received parliamentary approval in February. Under this bill, individuals from sexual minorities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years for engaging in homosexual relations. While the bill boasts substantial backing within Ghana, it has…

The Senate of Liberia has agreed to the draft budget for 2025 put forth by a faction within the House of Representatives, identifying themselves as the "majority Bloc." However, this move hasn't come without its share of controversy. Analysts, including the beleaguered Speaker Fonati Koffa and a former Supreme Court justice, have raised eyebrows about the legitimacy of this financial document. They point to ongoing tensions between the Speaker's supporters and those seeking to remove him from office. This hefty budget,…

Kismayo (AX) — In a significant turn of events, a military tribunal in Jubaland on Monday handed clan elder Hassan Mahamud Salah a five-year prison sentence, finding him guilty of conspiring with the militant faction Al-Shabaab. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against terrorism in the region. Presiding over the case, Colonel Abdullahi Mahamud Ibrahim pronounced the verdict, articulating the court's unwavering position on affiliations with Al-Shabaab. "This is a cautionary tale for those who dare to aid terrorist…

The beleaguered aviation titan Boeing is gearing up for yet another challenge as it heads into a civil trial next week regarding the devastating crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight in March 2019, which tragically claimed the lives of 157 individuals. This trial, set to unfold in federal court in Chicago, initially featured six plaintiffs, but according to sources close to the case, "all but one" have reached settlements. This leaves just a lone plaintiff pressing forward with claims against the aviation giant. Unless a…

Mogadishu (AX)—On Monday, a stern caution resounded from Salah Ali Mohamud, the presiding judge of the Banadir Regional Court, aimed squarely at the district leaders of Mogadishu. His message was clear: stay out of court matters pertaining to land and property squabbles. Only the judicial system, not local district bigwigs, has the clout to handle and enforce legal verdicts in these disputes. Making his stance crystal clear, Mohamud put out a potent statement directed at the district officials who lately seemed to imply…

A federal court has dismissed treason charges against numerous minors who were apprehended amid recent nationwide protests fueled by escalating living costs and discontent with the government. President Bola Tinubu had previously mandated their release after several young demonstrators collapsed during their court proceedings, a situation that drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International. In Nigeria, treason carries severe penalties, potentially culminating in the death penalty. "Any…

The Supreme Court of Liberia has made it clear that lawmakers attempting to oust House Speaker Fonati Koffa must respect the legal procedures in place. This ruling came in response to a petition urging the court to intervene and stop the various factions of legislators who have been conducting their own sessions aimed at unseating the Speaker. In the midst of this political frenzy, Speaker Koffa remains steadfast, declaring that he has no intention of stepping down, despite calls for his resignation. Instead, he has called…