In a move aimed at strengthening regional justice delivery, the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken steps to enhance the enforcement of judgments in its courts across member states.
Specifically, it adopted a comprehensive report and a commitment to concrete actions, which have laid the groundwork for enhanced enforcement of the court’s judgments and, notably, proposed a unified guideline for the award of reparations in monetary compensation across Member States.
The development was the outcome of a pivotal gathering in the inaugural meeting of Competent National Authorities (CNAs) held in Lagos, Nigeria. The two-day session yielded key resolutions aimed at addressing longstanding challenges in the implementation of the Court’s decisions.
Among the critical outcomes, the CNAs resolved to bridge existing communication gaps by identifying dedicated focal points and fostering robust collaboration among national enforcement agencies.
Further recommendations included the crucial submission of annual status reports on the implementation of judgments to member states, bilateral engagements between the court and CNAs, strategic measures aimed at accelerating the domestication of the court’s legal instruments, and the adoption of a unified guideline for the award of monetary compensation to victims of human rights violations.
President of the Community Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, emphasised the meeting’s role as a vital platform for exchanging ideas and formulating innovative, practical strategies to enhance compliance with the Court’s judgments.
“Through your candid contributions, we have identified actionable pathways to enhance adherence to the Court’s decisions,” Justice Gonçalves asserted.
He added that the convergence had “strengthened the bonds of cooperation between the Court and national authorities, to ensure that our judgments are not merely symbolic, but are effectively translated into real and lasting justice for the peoples of our region.”
The President further reiterated the Court’s unreserved commitment to advancing regional integration, upholding the rule of law, and diligently promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of Community citizens.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, Dawda Jallow, on behalf of the CNAs, commended the Court’s President for initiating an engaging platform that facilitated insightful discussions on critical aspects of judgment implementation.
Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged his fellow CNAs to remain steadfast in their commitment to the adopted recommendations.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Mr. Gaye Sowe, Acting Deputy Chief Registrar and Registrar, Appeals, Arbitration and Enforcement, revealed that plans are underway to organise future editions of the meeting in various Member States, a strategic move intended to cultivate stronger regional ownership and facilitate invaluable knowledge sharing.
“We must learn from each other. What works in Nigeria may benefit Benin or Sierra Leone. This is about building collective strength for our regional Court,” Mr. Sowe affirmed, highlighting the collaborative vision for future engagements.
The meeting, held under the theme “Enhancing the Role, Relevance, and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice: Strengthening Synergies Between the Court and Competent National Authorities,” saw robust participation from Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General from ECOWAS Member States, Representatives of CNAs, Representatives of ECOWAS Institutions, and a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Court led by its Honourable President.
The meeting was chaired by the Director, International and Comparative Law at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation.
