Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday, said ECOWAS Court plays a critical role in safeguarding rights and strengthening the rule of law across West Africa.

She said the court does not threaten national judiciaries but complements them in addressing cross-border challenges such as corruption, terrorism, and human rights violations.

CJN made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Court multi-day programme designed to raise awareness about the court’s role, held in Lagos.

The chief justice said no single national judiciary can effectively respond to transnational issues, noting that the ECOWAS Court enhances consistency in the application of regional legal instruments and provides a reliable forum for resolving disputes beyond national jurisdictions.

Earlier in his keynote address, at the opening ceremony, President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, said 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.

According to him, “justice hidden is justice denied. 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.”

He said the court’s role is to improve understanding of ECOWAS Community law, and engage directly with legal professionals, students, and citizens, noting that the sensitisation initiative precedes the Court’s External Session scheduled to run from May 8 to 16.

Justice Gonçalves emphasised the series of groundbreaking reforms that have modernised the court’s operations, which said he include the introduction of electronic filing, virtual hearings, and online access to judgments. He added that the measures aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and connecting even the most disadvantaged citizens to the judicial process.

He urged the law schools to integrate ECOWAS legal studies, encouraging lawyers to embrace pro bono work and also aligning judges to uphold judicial independence with integrity.

He posited that the government must cooperate by ratifying and implementing human rights treaties and enforcing court judgments promptly.

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the ECOWAS delegation, applauded the Court’s decision to host the outreach in Lagos, a city he described as the economic and cultural heartbeat of West Africa.

He reiterated the state’s commitment to justice and regional integration. He described the court’s presence as 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. Only through collaboration and a firm commitment to the rule of law can we ensure a peaceful, inclusive West Africa.”

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 had high-ranking judges, legal practitioners, civil society leaders, students, and members of the diplomatic corps in attendance.