Article 5 of the African Charter deals with the right to dignity and provides: “Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status. All forms of exploitation and degradation of man particularly slavery, slave trade, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment shall be prohibited”. Article 7 of the African Charter provides: “Every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard. This comprises: a) The right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force; b) The right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a competent court or tribunal; c) The right to defence, including the right to be defended by counsel of his choice; d) The right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal”. Article 14 of the African Charter guarantees the right to property and provides: "The right to property shall be guaranteed. It may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws.” Going by the combined effect of Article 5, 7 and 14 above, as well as Article 9 (4) of the Supplementary Protocol of the Court, the subject matter of the application is within the ambit of the court’s competence. The Plaintiffs allege a demolition of their residence by agents of the Defendant without notice and hearing. They attached photo evidence of the demolished houses. The issue at this point is whether a prima facie case of violation has been made out as to cloth this court with the jurisdiction to hear it. This court in Bakare Sarre V Mali (2011 CCJELR) 67, para 25, held that its competence to adjudicate in a given case depends not only on its texts but also on the substance of the initiating application. The court accords every attention to claims made by Applicants, the pleas-in-law invoked, and in an instance where human right violation is alleged, the 9