Abuja: Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja called for reforms in the ECOWAS Court of Justice to enhance community citizens' access to justice and address other contemporary challenges. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated this during the ECOWAS Court's 2025/2026 Legal Year celebration, with the theme 'ECOWAS Court and International Law: Expanding Access and Navigating Contemporary Challenges.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Community Court holds its Legal Year annually, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on its achievements, challenges, and future prospects. The celebration also serves as a forum for dialogue with stakeholders, including ECOWAS institutions, member states, national courts, bar associations, academics, civil society, and development partners.
The Attorney-General emphasized Nigeria's steadfast support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice and highlighted the Court's pivotal role in promoting regional stability, economic integration, and human rights. He expressed commitment to working with member states to enhance the Court's effectiveness, independence, and accessibility. Fagbemi pledged to advocate for legal reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while ensuring decisions respect constitutional order and national law.
Fagbemi described the event's theme as an occasion to reflect on the court's evolving role as a bridge between national legal systems and international norms. He reaffirmed a shared commitment to justice, integration, and the rule of law, noting the court's role as the bloc's guardian of rights and obligations.
He highlighted the importance of equipping the Court to interpret international laws in ways that protect digital freedoms while respecting national security concerns. The minister urged ECOWAS member states to pursue uniformity in legal standards, enforcement reciprocity, and fair review of judicial performance to address challenges and enhance access to justice.
Fagbemi called on the court to adopt best practices from other regional courts and tribunals, such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice, and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. He emphasized the value of comparative learning in refining the ECOWAS Court's processes and strengthening its data.
While acknowledging ECOWAS's ongoing initiatives, he urged the Court to institutionalize Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to expand access to justice and promote awareness across member states. This approach, he noted, would reduce the burden on formal proceedings and foster a more inclusive and responsive justice system.
The minister also urged the court to complement the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA's efforts in anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that justice systems are not exploited by criminal networks and that financial integrity is preserved across the region.
Justice Komba Kamanda, Sierra Leone's Chief Justice and Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, mentioned ongoing work with colleagues on the possibility of creating an ECOWAS Court of Appeal. He noted that the council is considering updating procedural rules to address challenges in enforcing ECOWAS Court judgments and deepening the relationship between the court and the council.