By Dosu Deborah Oluwatimilehin (SIWES student, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa)
Last week, the Chief Justices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Abuja to address the persistent issue of non-compliance with ECOWAS Court judgements.
Chaired by President Judge Dupe Atoki, the meeting evaluated the progress and challenges surrounding the court’s decisions.
Led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the ECOWAS Judicial Council convened for a three-day session in Nigeria, marking a significant moment for the region.
The council reviewed decisions and discussed crucial matters concerning the ECOWAS region.
Non-enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgements emerged as a critical concern during the meeting.
Member states acknowledged the detrimental impact of this issue on the court’s efficacy and its ability to carry out its mandate.
The Bureau of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, led by Nigeria, identified several reasons for non-compliance, including deficient legal frameworks, lack of awareness, and political interference.
A notable obstacle to compliance is the absence of an appellate chamber, leaving parties with no legal recourse against court rulings.
To address this, the Bureau initiated a committee to explore establishing an appellate chamber, examining its legal, institutional, and budgetary implications.
The Bureau also highlighted resource constraints and the necessity for enhanced judicial cooperation among member states.
Recommendations included establishing a working group on judicial cooperation and allocating more resources to the ECOWAS Court.
Recognizing the pivotal role of media and civil society organizations (CSOs), the Bureau emphasized the importance of promoting awareness and fostering collaboration to uphold the rule of law and support the court’s mandate.
Moreover, the Bureau discussed alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as part of ongoing initiatives to address challenges in implementing ECOWAS Court judgements.
