The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening collaboration between national judiciaries and the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, calling for structured engagement to bolster the regional legal framework.
She made the pledge in Lagos on Thursday while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the External Court Session of the ECOWAS Court, held at the High Court building in Osborne.
Justice Kekere Ekun, who chaired the ceremony, emphasized the importance of referral of community law cases, joint training initiatives, and the robust implementation of court decisions to ensure justice delivery across West Africa.
“The ECOWAS Court is uniquely positioned to handle cases that transcend national borders, challenging sovereigns and demanding accountability at the highest levels,” she stated.
“The rule of law is not a decorative principle—it is the foundation of peace, development, and stability.”
She added that the outreach between Nigeria and the regional court has removed ambiguity and reaffirmed mutual dedication to regional justice and peace.
Earlier, Justice Ricardo Claudio Montero Goncalves, President of the ECOWAS Court, expressed concern over the non-implementation of court decisions by many member states, noting that only 10 of the 12 ECOWAS countries have fulfilled the requirement to designate national authorities to enforce judgments.
“The credibility of the court is at stake if its decisions are not respected. Without cooperation from member states, the court risks becoming a toothless bulldog,” Justice Montero warned.
He commended Nigeria for its consistent respect for the court’s jurisdiction and appealed for greater commitment to executing its rulings.
The court session is expected to advance justice, promote rule of law, and strengthen judicial synergy across the West African sub-region.
