Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has said the ECOWAS Court plays a critical role in promoting legal accountability and curbing impunity in the region, noting that enforcing its decisions remains a challenge due to the sovereign nature of member states and their varying political contexts.

Alogba observed that political diversity is a major obstacle in the enforcement of the ECOWAS Court’s judgments which remains a topical issue affecting the court’s effectiveness.

The CJ made the remarks while receiving the ECOWAS Court President during a preparatory mission for the court’s External Session and sensitisation campaign to be held in Lagos today, May 5 to 7 and May 8 to 16, respectively.

He commended the court for its work in the region and described the visit as a welcome opportunity for institutional engagement and collaboration.
Alogba said the ECOWAS Court plays a critical role in promoting legal accountability and curbing impunity in the region, noting that enforcing its decisions remains a challenge due to the sovereign nature of member states and their varying political contexts.

The current President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, in April, identified the non-enforcement of its judgments and the failure to operationalise its arbitration jurisdiction as some of the major challenges confronting the institution.

He stressed that international charters must be respected once ratified and emphasised the importance of regional judicial bodies like the ECOWAS Court in upholding justice, even when enforcement powers are limited. Responding, Justice Gonçalves reaffirmed the court’s commitment to its mandate.