…..Reaffirms Commitment To Justice And Human Rights Issues In West Africa
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has launched its 2025 Sensitisation Outreach and External Court Sessions in Lagos, with the call on the authorities to bring justice out of courtrooms and into the heart of West African communities.
The call was contained in a keynote address delivered by the President of the ECOWAS Court, Honorable Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves at the opening ceremony of the sensitisation programme hosted in Lagos.
Hon. Justice Monteiro Gonçalves declared that justice must no longer be the “language of the privileged” or “a distant dream” but a birthright for every citizen — from the remotest village to the bustling urban centers.
“Justice hidden is justice denied,” Justice Gonçalves stated. “We are here not just as officers of the court, but as messengers of change. The time has come to restore hope, build bridges, and serve justice where it is most needed — at the grassroots.”
The admonition of the jury was coming as the Court reaffirms its commitment to Justice delivery system and Human Rights issues in West Africa subregion.
The program hosted at the Eko Hotels and Suites, marks the start of a multi-day programme designed to raise awareness about the Court’s role, improve understanding of ECOWAS Community law, and engage directly with legal professionals, students, and citizens.
The sensitisation initiative precedes the Court’s External Session scheduled to run from May 8 to 16.
Justice Gonçalves highlighted a series of reforms that have modernised the Court’s operations, including the introduction of electronic filing, virtual hearings, and online access to judgments — measures aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and connecting even the most disadvantaged citizens to the judicial process.
He also issued direct appeals to stakeholders across the justice sector: urging law schools to integrate ECOWAS legal studies, encouraging lawyers to embrace pro bono work, and calling on judges to uphold judicial independence with integrity. Governments, he stressed, must cooperate by ratifying and implementing human rights treaties and enforcing court judgments in a timely manner.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, who chaired the ceremony, affirmed the critical role the ECOWAS Court plays in safeguarding rights and strengthening the rule of law across West Africa.
She emphasized that the Court does not threaten national judiciaries but rather complements them in addressing cross-border challenges such as corruption, terrorism, and human rights violations.
“No single national judiciary can effectively respond to these transnational issues,” she said.
“The ECOWAS Court enhances consistency in the application of regional legal instruments and provides a reliable forum for resolving disputes beyond national jurisdictions.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, welcomed the ECOWAS delegation, praising the Court’s decision to host the outreach in Lagos — a city he described as the economic and cultural heartbeat of West Africa.
He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to justice and regional integration, calling the Court’s presence a vital step toward making justice more visible and accessible.
“This event reflects our collective resolve to strengthen institutions and bring justice closer to the people,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.
“Only through collaboration and a firm commitment to the rule of law can we ensure a peaceful, inclusive West Africa.”
In the keynote address delivered by the Court’s Chief Registrar, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, at the second day of the event, he emphasised the institution’s vital role and called for greater public awareness of its mandate.
He urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s commercial capital to help amplify the Court’s visibility and accessibility.
“The ECOWAS Court of Justice belongs to the people of the region. We remain accountable to them as we uphold our judicial responsibilities,” said Dr. Ouro-Sama.
He noted that despite the Court’s significant mandate, many West Africans remain unaware of its existence and its role in defending fundamental rights.
Dr. Ouro-Sama explained that the ECOWAS Court was established under the 1975 Lagos Treaty to support regional integration and economic cooperation. The Revised Treaty of 1993 further reinforced this mission, leading to the Court’s formal establishment in 2001.
Originally tasked with resolving disputes between Member States and ECOWAS institutions, the Court’s powers were significantly broadened in 2005 through a supplementary protocol. This expansion introduced four key functions: serving as a Community Court, an Administrative Court for ECOWAS staff, an Arbitration Tribunal, and a Human Rights Court.
“This marked a historic shift, allowing individuals and corporate entities direct access to the Court, especially in cases involving human rights violations,” he said.
Human rights matters now make up the majority of the Court’s docket, making it one of the most accessible international human rights bodies on the continent. Dr. Ouro-Sama noted that this accessibility provides a critical legal lifeline for victims when national remedies are unavailable or ineffective.
“This sensitisation mission is more than an outreach, it’s an act of human rights promotion,” he said. “It empowers citizens with knowledge, facilitates access to justice, and reinforces ECOWAS’s vision of integration and development.”
He clarified that the Court does not compete with national judiciaries but rather complements them, particularly in cases where domestic systems fall short. Engaging grassroots actors in Lagos, he said, is essential to transforming ECOWAS “from a Community of States to a Community of People.”
The Chief Registrar commended the collaboration of civil society organisations, women’s groups, immigration agencies, law enforcement, and legal practitioners.
He called on them to continue supporting the Court’s mission and help spread awareness.
“We are proud of what the ECOWAS Court has achieved. It exists to protect the rights of citizens and to be their voice in the regional legal framework,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), called for stronger collaboration between the NHRC and the ECOWAS Court to enhance human rights protection across the region.
Represented by Mr. Lucas Koyejo, Ojukwu stressed the complementary roles of national and regional bodies, saying both institutions serve as critical pillars of human rights protection in West Africa.
“While the ECOWAS Court has a regional judicial mandate, the NHRC is a quasi-judicial body operating under the Paris Principles of 1991,” said Koyejo. “Despite our structural and jurisdictional differences, our goals intersect we both aim to safeguard people’s rights.”
He highlighted the NHRC’s authority under the 2010 Amendment Act to investigate and adjudicate rights violations within Nigeria but acknowledged that enforcement of decisions remains a major hurdle.
“Enforcement is a persistent challenge. The NHRC can support the implementation of ECOWAS Court judgments within national legal systems,” he said.
Koyejo praised the ECOWAS Court’s expanded mandate, particularly its openness to individuals and organisations pursuing human rights claims.
He described the Court as “a beacon of hope” for victims denied justice at home.
He also noted the importance of public awareness, stressing that limited visibility undermines both institutions.
“Many people are unaware of the power and potential of the ECOWAS Court and even the NHRC. We must intensify advocacy to ensure justice reaches the grassroots,” he said.
Koyejo reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to partnering with the ECOWAS Court, civil society, and other stakeholders to strengthen human rights protection in the region.
“We are not in competition we are allies in the fight for justice and dignity. Our collaboration can only strengthen human rights in Nigeria and West Africa,” he said.
stronger collaboration, awareness, and enforcement mechanisms to enhance the protection of human rights—especially those of women and children—across West Africa. The call was made during a recent stakeholder engagement session aimed at deepening understanding of the court’s human rights mandate.
Mrs. Marie Saine, Registrar of Judicial Records, Archives and Publications at the court, emphasized that lack of awareness remains a key barrier to accessing justice for many in the region. “A lot of women, children, and even the general public don’t know about the existence of the court or how they can access it,” she said. “That significantly limits the court’s ability to protect their rights.”
She noted that forums such as the engagement provide critical opportunities for the court to share its mandate, educate stakeholders, and promote self-advocacy and litigation as tools for justice. “It’s important to use both advocacy and legal action. That’s how we make rights real,” she added.
Highlighting the ECOWAS Court’s human rights track record, Saine stated that the court’s mandate in this area remains its most active, especially in cases concerning women and children. She referenced landmark cases, including Hadijatou Mani v. Niger, which set legal precedents and led to real-life impact and reforms.
However, the court continues to face major enforcement challenges. “Despite the binding nature of our judgments, we rely on the goodwill of member states for implementation,” Saine said. She identified the lack of political will and poor cooperation from some states as significant obstacles to achieving full compliance with court decisions.
To address these challenges, Saine announced that the court is exploring innovative strategies and partnerships to ensure its judgments are respected. She welcomed the Nigerian Human Rights Commission’s willingness to collaborate, calling it a step in the right direction.
In her concluding remarks, she offered key recommendations, including enhanced outreach, legal reforms by member states, and sustained cooperation with stakeholders. “We must continue to push for the observance of the rule of law and protection of human rights in our region,” she said.
The sensitisation programme continues throughout the week, with public engagements, legal education activities, and the historic external court sessions aimed at fostering deeper ties between regional and national legal systems.
The event has drawn participation from high-ranking judges, legal practitioners, civil society leaders, students, and members of the diplomatic corps.
