The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has charged the ECOWAS Judicial Council to initiate a reform-oriented review of the practice and procedure of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to avoid conflicts with national courts.
The AGF said this will also help to realise the envisioned potential of the court as a respectable regional court.
Fagbemi, who made the charge in Abuja, while addressing the opening ceremony of the Statutory Meeting of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, said it should also provide a credible network for the promotion of uniform rules of practice and procedure in the administration of justice in order to reduce conflict of laws in the region.
He said the ECOWAS Judicial Council stands in a proper position to work towards the promotion of rule of law and democratic governance, which has come under intense pressure in recent times.
He said as the ECOWAS block continues to work towards achieving uniform economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not be left behind.
In his speech, the chairman of the council and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said the council is working towards the promotion of equity and justice for all.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the protection of human rights, the promotion of regional integration, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means,” he said.
Justice Ariwoola urged participants at the meeting to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations for the two days ahead and develop concrete recommendations to be sent to the Authority of Heads of State and Government to improve regional justice delivery in the subregion through the ECOWAS Court.
The President of the Community Court of Justice, Eward Amoako Asante, restated the commitment of ECOWAS Judicial Council to upholding the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law within the ECOWAS Community.
Since its inception, he said, the ECOWAS Court of Justice has served as a beacon of hope for the people of West Africa, providing a platform for the resolution of disputes and the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights.
He said, at the last meeting of the Judicial Council in Abuja in February this year, the council set up two important committees with clear terms of reference and tasked them to report to the plenary with their recommendations.
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