ECOWAS Court of Justice and Lagos Judiciary Forge Stronger Regional Judicial Cooperation

LAGOS, NIGERIA – 7 May 2025 – In a landmark move to reinforce regional cooperation and access to justice, the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the Lagos State Judiciary have pledged closer collaboration during a high-level judicial dialogue held in Lagos this week.

The event, which opened with a formal ceremony, brought together top judicial leaders to discuss the protection of human rights, legal integration, and the rule of law in West Africa.

Speaking at the gathering, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, emphasized that national and regional courts must work in partnership rather than in competition. “Our roles may differ in scope or geography, but our purpose remains the same: to serve our people,” he said. “Our courts are not competitors. We are collaborators.”

He called for structured cooperation through joint consultations and judicial exchanges to strengthen the region’s legal systems and ensure consistent justice delivery across ECOWAS member states.

Welcoming the delegation, Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, hailed the Court’s visit as a “golden opportunity” for mutual learning and enhanced cooperation. He also applauded the ECOWAS Court’s support in renovating a courtroom at Osborne Courthouse—a symbolic gesture of solidarity and practical assistance.

“We do not simply render judgments; we are concerned with their implementation and their actual impact on society,” Justice Alogba stated, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing regional court rulings.

Also addressing participants, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court, provided insight into the Court’s evolving mandate—especially in the field of human rights, which now accounts for the majority of its caseload. He stressed that the Court respects national sovereignty and judicial independence.

“The ECOWAS Court does not serve as an appellate court over national judiciaries,” Dr. Ouro-Sama clarified. “Rather, it offers individuals and corporations a complementary path to justice when national remedies have been exhausted.”

Dr. Ouro-Sama also described Lagos as a strategic hub for regional legal engagement, underscoring the Court’s mission to bring justice closer to the people. “The transformation of ECOWAS from a ‘Community of States’ to a ‘Community of Peoples’ can only be realized when the grassroots are carried along in this integration project,” he added. The judicial dialogue continues with technical sessions aimed at promoting best practices, enhancing cooperation, and improving access to justice throughout the West African subregion.