The ECOWAS Court of Justice has commenced a two-day orientation programme for newly recruited staff members at the seat of the Court in Abuja. Speaking at the opening of the orientation programme, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the Court, charged the newly recruited staff members to quickly familiarise themselves with the structure, processes and functioning of the various departments of the Court. He urged the new staff members to take advantage of the programme and utilise the knowledge gained from the orientation for the effective discharge of their responsibilities. Dr Ouro-Sama advised the participants to respect the organisation's hierarchy, rules and procedures, ethics, and to foster integrity, transparency, objectivity and team spirit across divisions and departments. In a welcome address, Dr William Towah, Director of Administration and Finance, who was represented by the Human Resource Officer, Mrs Mariame Kone enjoined the new staff members to uphold the ethics and diligently carry out their obligations. The periodic orientation programme is organised by the Court as part of its integration process for new staff into the processes and procedures of the organisation. Presentations will be delivered on various topics including the history of the Court, its vision, mandate and strategic goals, structure, legal texts as well as the judicial statistics of the Court.?? The new staff members will also be sensitized on the functions of departments and units of the Court, including the Research and Documentation Department, the Department of Administration and Finance and the Protocol, ICT and Communication units of the Court.?? Representatives of the ECOWAS Pension Office and the ECOWAS Staff Mutual Credit Union will also take their turn on sensitising the new staff about savings and retirement plans. Speakers at the programme include Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar, Dr Athanase Atannon, Deputy Chief Registrar, Dr Ousmane Diallo, Director of Research and Documentation, Heads of Divisions and Units, and staff from the Protocol, ICT and Communication units. Source: Ghana News Agency WINDHOEK: The Windhoek High Court on Thursday dismissed a N.dollars 408 791 lawsuit against prominent Namibian musician Lazarus Shiimi, well known by his stage name, Gazza. This follows accusations that Shiimi breached a contract with Trinity Transaction Advisory cc, which claimed it secured deals for him with Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Court documents indicated that the company alleged that an agreement between the parties stated that it was entitled to 20 per cent of the value of the commercial agreement it secured for Shiimi and was entitled to N.dollars 45 000 per month for services rendered. Judge Boas Usiku dismissed the application with costs, stating that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc is not entitled to 20 per cent of the value of the commercial agreement. Shiimi insisted that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc did not secure the deals for him. The court found that the NBL, KFC and Shiimi were not brought together through the wisdom or business acumen of Trinit y Transaction Advisory cc, owned by lawyer Gokulan Thambapilai. 'It cannot be said that the plaintiff secured the NBL or KFC agreement and therefore the plaintiff is not entitled to 20 per cent of the agreement's value,' Judge Usiku ruled. According to Shiimi, he has had a long-standing relationship with NBL since 2006. Thambapilai argued during trial that Shiimi approached him in January 2021 for assistance with commercial and contractual agreements, saying he was not happy with the remuneration he received from NBL for his services as a brand ambassador. Appolus Shimakeleni represented Shiimi, while Nixon Marcus represented Trinity Transaction Advisory cc. Source: The Namibia Press Agency