AGF wants ECOWAS Court procedure reviewed to prevent conflicts

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), yesterday, charged the ECOWAS Judicial Council to initiate a reform-oriented review of the practice and procedure of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to avoid conflicts with national courts and to make the court realise envisioned potential as a respectable regional court.

Fagbemi, who stated this in Abuja, while addressing the opening ceremony of the Statutory Meeting of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, said the council should also provide a credible network for the promotion of uniform rules of practice and procedure in the administration of justice to reduce conflict of laws in the region.

According to him, the ECOWAS Judicial Council is in a position to work towards the promotion of the rule of law and democratic governance, which has come under intense pressure in recent times.

He said as the ECOWAS block continued to work towards achieving uniform economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not be left behind.

The AGF enjoined the ECOWAS Judicial Council to utilise the regional platform as an avenue for peer review and cross-fertilisation of ideas, to address the issues to achieve greater independence of the judiciary and a more prosperous and safer sub-region.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said the council was working towards ensuring a just and equitable society.

He charged member states to work towards safeguarding the principles of justice, upholding the rule of law, and advancing the cause of peace and prosperity.

He called on members of the council to reflect on the progress, challenges facing the court, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the protection of human rights, the promotion of regional integration, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means,” he said.

Ariwoola urged participants at the meeting to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations and make concrete recommendations to be sent to the Authority of Heads of State and Government to improve regional justice delivery in the sub-region through the ECOWAS Court.

In his remarks, the President of the Community Court of Justice, Edward Amoako Asante, restated the commitment of the ECOWAS Judicial Council to upholding the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law within the ECOWAS community.

Since its inception, he said, the ECOWAS Court of Justice had served as a beacon of hope for the people of West Africa, providing a platform for the resolution of disputes and the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights.