The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on Monday, 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 realize envisioned potential as a respectable regional court.
Fagbemi who gave the charge in Abuja, while addressing the opening ceremony of the Statutory Meeting of the ECOWAS Judicial Council said, the Council should also provide credible network for the promotion of uniform rules of practice and procedure in the administration of justice in order to reduce conflict of laws in the region.
Galaxy Tv reports that the Minister said the ECOWAS Judicial Council stands in a proper position to work towards the promotion of rule of law and democratic governance, which has come under intense pressure in recent times.
According to Fagbemi, as the ECOWAS block continues to work towards achieving uniform economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not be left behind. He said, the challenges confronting the judiciary or the justice system in general across the West African states are identical in terms of judicial autonomy, provision of funding and infrastructural facilities for the courts, among others.
In the same vein, he said, member states also share the challenges confronting the region in terms of economy, migration, integration, insecurity, enforcement of fundamental rights. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola said the Council is working towards ensuring a 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.
Justice Ariwoola urged participants at the meeting to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations for the two days ahead and develop concrete recommendations to be sent to the Authority of Heads of State and Government to improve regional justice delivery in the subregion through the ECOWAS Court. In his speech, the President of the Community Court of Justice, Eward Amoako Asante restated the commitment of 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 has 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. He said, at the last meeting of the Judicial Council in Abuja in February this year, the Council set up two important Committees with clear terms of reference and tasked them to report to the plenary with their recommendations.
One of the committees was specifically tasked with exploring possible ways of enhancing the enforcement of the court’s decisions and the other to review the Council’s Rules of Procedure to better facilitate its operations.
