The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening cooperation between national judiciaries and the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, emphasizing the need for structured engagement on regional legal matters.

Speaking as Chairperson at the opening ceremony of the External Court Session of the ECOWAS Court, held at the High Court building in Osborne, Lagos, Kekere-Ekun highlighted the importance of referrals for community law cases, joint training initiatives, and the robust implementation of court decisions.

“The ECOWAS Court is uniquely positioned to handle cases of regional significance—cases that transcend borders, challenge sovereigns, and demand accountability at the highest level,” the CJN stated. She underscored that the rule of law is the bedrock of development, stability, and peace, adding that the court’s mandate to interpret community law, protect human rights, and resolve regional disputes is both bold and essential.

In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Community Court, Justice Ricardo Claudio Montero Goncalves, noted that only two out of twelve member states have yet to comply with Article 24 of the Court’s protocol, which mandates countries to designate a national authority responsible for executing the Court’s judgments.

Goncalves expressed concern over the low implementation rate of many court decisions, warning, “It will be counter-productive to render the Court a toothless bulldog.” While commending Nigeria for respecting the Court’s jurisdiction, he urged the country to ensure full enforcement of its rulings.

He emphasized that ECOWAS remains steadfast in its commitment to democracy, good governance, and human rights across the sub-region, stating, “The judiciary is a key pillar in the rule of law architecture, at both national and regional levels.”

Also speaking at the event, Chief Justice of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, stressed that meaningful collaboration is essential to safeguarding the dignity and respect of the ECOWAS Court throughout West Africa.