ECOWAS COURT CONCLUDES EXTERNAL SESSION IN LAGOS, DELIVERS 13 JUDGMENTS AND PROMOTES REGIONAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has officially concluded its External Court Session in Lagos, Nigeria, marking the successful end of a critical judicial outreach aimed at enhancing regional access to justice.
The closing ceremony, held at the High Court of Lagos, Osborne Annex in Ikoyi, was headlined by a powerful address from the Hon. President of the Court. He hailed the session as a milestone achievement in promoting justice, equity, and human rights across the West African sub-region.
Expressing gratitude to Almighty God, the Hon. President underscored the significance of two key initiatives delivered under the Court’s 2025 work programme: the Sensitization Outreach held from May 5–7 at Eko Hotel & Suites, and the External Court Session from May 8–16 at the Lagos High Court complex.
“These initiatives,” he noted, “are central to our strategy of promoting judicial awareness and ensuring access to justice for indigent citizens of the ECOWAS Community.”
The President reaffirmed the legal foundation for the session, citing Article 26(2) of the 1991 Protocol on the Court, which permits external sittings in member states. “By bringing our proceedings closer to the people, we provide access to justice for those who may otherwise never reach the Court’s seat in Abuja,” he explained.
The External Court Session processed 52 cases, including 37 hearings, 2 rulings, and 13 judgments—significantly reducing the Court’s caseload from 97 to 82 pending cases. The matters addressed included petitions from ECOWAS member states such as Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Senegal, Guinea, and Liberia, along with cases involving ECOWAS institutions.
The Hon. President extended heartfelt appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, for her support and presence, and to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, for generously providing courtrooms and personnel.
He also praised the dedication of the ECOWAS Court Judges, especially given the challenge of a reduced bench, and acknowledged the Judge-Rapporteurs, Registrars, ICT, Protocol Units, and support staff from both the ECOWAS Court and the Lagos State Judiciary.
“As we return to our respective destinations,” he concluded, “we carry with us the satisfaction of having fulfilled a key mandate—to deliver justice to the grassroots. By the authority vested in me, I now declare this External Court Session CLOSED.”
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Vice President and Judges of the ECOWAS Court, officials from the Lagos State Judiciary, directors, support staff, and members of the media.
The External Session stands as a testament to ECOWAS’s ongoing commitment to the rule of law and accessible justice for all citizens across the region.
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