The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening cooperation between national judiciaries and the ECOWAS Court of Justice. She also called for more structured engagement, including the referral of cases involving community law, joint training programmes, and the effective implementation of court decisions.
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Justice Kekere-Ekun made these remarks yesterday while presiding as Chairperson at the opening ceremony of the External Court Session of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, held at the High Court premises in Osborne, Lagos.
According to her, the ECOWAS Court holds a distinctive mandate to adjudicate on matters of regional significance—cases that transcend national borders, challenge sovereignty, and demand the highest levels of accountability.
“The rule of law is not a decorative principle but the bedrock of development, stability, and peace,” the CJN said, adding that the outreach by the ECOWAS Court has clarified earlier grey areas and reinforced commitment to collaborative peace and justice.
She described the Court’s mandate as “bold and vital: to interpret community law, protect human rights, and resolve issues that threaten regional cohesion.” As proceedings commenced, she expressed hope that the session would be productive, enlightening, and impactful in advancing the cause of justice across West Africa.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, cited Article 24 of the Court’s Protocol (as amended), which mandates member states to execute the Court’s decisions in accordance with their national civil procedure rules. He lamented that out of 12 member states, only two have yet to comply with this obligation.
“For the Court to effectively serve as the ‘watchdog’ of the Community legal order, it must enjoy the cooperation of member states,” he said. “The credibility of the Court is undermined when its decisions are not implemented.”
Justice Gonçalves emphasized that many judgments of the Court remain unenforced by the relevant member states, warning against rendering the institution “a toothless bulldog.” He acknowledged Nigeria’s consistent respect for the Court’s jurisdiction but urged similar commitment toward the implementation of its rulings.
He reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to democracy and good governance, noting the judiciary’s pivotal role in upholding the rule of law at both national and regional levels.
“In any constitutional democracy, the judiciary must remain an independent pillar, empowered to administer justice fearlessly and impartially,” he said. “ECOWAS has rightly adopted human rights as a core value, and in this context, the Court plays a central role in safeguarding the rule of law and protecting fundamental freedoms.”
In his goodwill message, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, echoed the need for continued collaboration among member states to preserve the dignity and authority of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
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