COURT CONCLUDES ITS FIVE-DAY 15TH ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGET RETREAT IN NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA

The Community Court of Justice has ended its annual administrative and budget retreat with the adoption of the work programme of the Court for the year 2024 following discussions and deliberations during the various working sessions dedicated to various aspects of the Court.

The Retreat which brought together the Honorable judges and staff of the Court also adopted its draft budget for the implementation of the various activities proposed for in the work programme for the year 2024.
It is expected that in the coming year, apart from its normal court sessions held at its Abuja headquarters, the Court will also hold its traditional activities such as the International conference, the External Court session and the sensitisation programme to enhance access to justice and its visibility.

Other activities contained in the work programme include, training of lawyers and judges of ECOWAS Member States on the rules of the Court, the harmonisation of the texts of the Court as well as various activities for the development of Community law.

Participants at the five-day retreat also made some recommandations aimed at strenghtening and improving the efficiency of the various departments of the Court, particularly, in the areas of Communication for increased visibility for the Court and to enhance their support for the Judges.

The Retreat also recommended, among other things, that the Court engage with the five Member States that have not appointed their focal points for the execution of Court’s decision to encourage them to do so in addition to working with the judicial Council of the Community to faciliate the execution of its decisions.

In his closing statement, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court, commended participants for demonstrating professionalism in their contributions during the presentations and discussions which contributed to the success of the retreat.

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Justice Gberi-bè Ouattara, assured that the Court takes seriously its assigned task within the Community’s integration architecture.

The Vote of thanks was delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki who thanked all participants for their committment during the session, noting that the quality of presentations and discussions contributed to retreat’s succcessful outcome.

The annual retreat offers an opportunity to review the progress achieved with its policies and programmes as well as discuss the activities for the next year, including its budget which is critical for the success of the Court.
Staff at the retreat were drawn from the Registry, Administration, Finance and Communication.