ECOWAS COURT OF JUSTICE TAKES SENSITISATION DRIVE TO LAGOS, LAUDS STATE’S JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS

The Lagos State Government has welcomed the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as it commenced its three-day sensitization outreach programme in Lagos on Monday.

The initiative, held at The Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, aims to boost public understanding of the ECOWAS Court’s mandate, operational procedures, and its crucial role in upholding justice and human rights across the West African sub-region and is scheduled to run from May 5 to 7, 2025.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, conveyed his profound honor and sense of responsibility in addressing the participants. He emphasised Lagos State’s pride in hosting and supporting this significant engagement, underscoring the state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its collaboration with ECOWAS institutions in the advancement of justice, the rule of law, and human rights throughout the region.

Reaffirming Lagos State’s alignment with the ECOWAS Court’s principles, the Attorney-General lauded its vital role in interpreting regional laws, resolving employment disputes involving ECOWAS, and ensuring member states are accountable for human rights violations. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between regional and domestic justice systems, advocating for the exploration of local remedies before seeking regional adjudication, except in cases of ineffectiveness or undue delay.

“This principle not only safeguards the sovereignty of member states but also reinforces the ECOWAS Court as a complementary, rather than substitutive, judicial institution”, Mr. Pedro asserted.

He encouraged legal practitioners in Lagos and beyond to deepen their knowledge of the Court’s procedures, admissibility criteria, and jurisprudence, stating that this would empower citizens to access justice through all available channels – local, national, and sub-regional

Highlighting Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to improve access to justice, the Attorney-General spotlighted the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC), Nigeria’s pioneering court-connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centre. He emphasised the LMDC’s success in alleviating the burden on traditional courts and providing faster, more flexible, and less adversarial routes to justice.

Mr. Pedro expressed optimism that the ECOWAS Court would consider integrating ADR mechanisms into its own processes, citing Lagos’ model as a prime example of how innovation and responsiveness to citizens’ needs can transform judicial systems. “As we consider the future of regional justice in West Africa,” the Attorney-General stated, “Lagos remains committed to advancing models that are people-centred and justice-focused.”

Concluding, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, urged members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the broader legal community to actively engage with the ECOWAS Court and leverage the opportunities it offers.

“True regional integration must go beyond politics and economics and be anchored in shared values of justice, dignity, and the rule of law,” he affirmed.

Mr. Pedro commended the ECOWAS Court for bringing this significant engagement to Lagos, the commercial and legal hub of West Africa, and expressed his hope that the programme would lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration and stronger regional institutions.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of the Chief Host, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Kekere Ẹkun; the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba; the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, Directors and Counsel from the Ministry of Justice, representatives from the Nigerian and ECOWAS Judiciaries, members of the NBA, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Facilitators, Foreign Dignitaries, and Law Students.