Stop issuing unenforceable orders, FG tells ECOWAS court

Stop issuing unenforceable orders, FG tells ECOWAS court

The Nigerian government has asked the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to stop issuing unenforceable orders and judgements.

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke at the opening session of the statutory meeting of the ECOWAS judicial council.

He said it was important for the regional court to pay attention to the peculiarities of member states.

The minister described some of the judgments delivered by the ECOWAS court as “practically incapable of enforcement”.

Fagbemi said there was a “dire need to promote and deepen alternative dispute resolution measures within the region”.

The AGF said, “The ECOWAS Judicial Council plays a crucial role in advancing justice delivery and access to justice by recruiting individuals with requisite experience and capacity to handle the myriad of cases brought before the courts.

“As we are all well aware, we are in an era where the foundational principles of the Economic Community of West African States are being tested and this reinforces the need for the community’s justice system to respond appropriately to contemporary issues in order to engender justice, fairness and inspire confidence in community citizens.”

“It is therefore critical that the Community Court of Justice continues to undergo necessary reforms to bring it in tandem with the current exigencies and manage the challenges associated with justice delivery in the region.

“The court must adopt strategies that strengthen its jurisdiction, whilst appreciating the jurisdictional boundaries of the court and limiting unnecessary conflict with domestic laws of member states.”

Also speaking at the event, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, who is the chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, said the body would continue to play a vital role towards ensuring a more just, peaceful and integrated West Africa.

The CJN called for the unification of laws within the ECOWAS region.

President of the ECOWAS commission, Omar Touray, said the meeting, attended by chief justices of ECOWAS member states, would help the region address issues affecting the effective operation of the community court.