ECOWAS Court recorded 59 judgments, 5 rulings in 2023

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has recorded yet another milestone in the number of decisions delivered in 2023.

Statistics from the court’s registry indicate that 64 decisions comprising 59 judgments and 5 rulings were delivered in 2023, a remarkable progress from 41 judgments rendered in 2022 and 2021 consecutively.

This is the highest number of judgments delivered in a year since the court’s inception in 2001.

Speaking at the New Year get-together and award ceremony of the court, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court, said the remarkable feat was an attestation to the diligence of the college of judges supported by the commitment, collaboration and focus of staff.

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 “The other indices are also encouraging as we succeeded in reducing the number of pending cases to 165 at the end of 2023 compared to 180 at the end of 2022,” he added.

Justice Asante enjoined the staff to brace up for an anticipated increase in the number of human rights cases that may be filed before the Court following unrest in the sub-region including attempted coups in member states.

He expressed optimism that the court will exceptionally deliver on its mandate in 2024 considering the recent additional recruitments and promotions to boost its productivity and performance.

From its inception in 2001, the court has delivered 402 judgments on a total of 678 cases filed within the same period.

The statistics also indicate that since inception, the court has held 1,440 proceedings, and rendered 29 decisions on 41 applications for revision of judgments filed, while 168 cases including those filed at the beginning of 2024 are presently pending before it.

The court, which resumed activities on the 8th of January, 2024, after its end-of-year break, will commence sessions on January 29, 2024.

Speaking about the award night, Justice Asante said the award system recognises and rewards the exemplary contributions of staff during the previous year and will inspire other staff to higher productivity while also stimulating a positive work environment.

The awards were presented to outstanding staff in five categories: Best Staff in different departments and Judges Special Award to Overall Best Staff.