ECOWAS Court urges member states to enforce judgments

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has concluded its first-ever meeting with national authorities responsible for the enforcement of its judgments, issuing a strong call for improved compliance and deeper cooperation among member states. The two-day event, held in Lagos, brought together justice sector leaders and legal representatives from across West Africa to address the […]

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has concluded its first-ever meeting with national authorities responsible for the enforcement of its judgments, issuing a strong call for improved compliance and deeper cooperation among member states.

The two-day event, held in Lagos, brought together justice sector leaders and legal representatives from across West Africa to address the persistent challenge of poor enforcement of the Court’s decisions.

In his closing remarks, the President of the Court, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, said, “This meeting has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration that will help national authorities ensure that our decisions are not just symbolic, but result in real justice for our people,” he said.

Justice Gonçalves reiterated that the judgments of the ECOWAS Court are binding, citing Article 15 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and Article 24(4) of the Supplementary Protocol on the Court.

He urged countries that are yet to designate competent authorities to do so without delay and to domesticate ECOWAS legal instruments into their national laws, especially in dualist legal systems.

“The effectiveness of the Court hinges on our collective political will,” he said. “By reinforcing the authority of the Court, we uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens across our region.”

Representing Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Nnanna O. Ibom, Director of International and Comparative Law, emphasised the need for concrete action following the meeting.

“Implementation is the only way to enthrone the rule of law within the ECOWAS region,” he said. “As we return home, we must take deliberate steps to act on the recommendations we’ve adopted here.”