The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has organized its inaugural state awareness program in Ilorin, Kwara, to inform the public about its activities and programmes.
The ECOWAS Court Communications Department, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, said the week-long event was aimed at bringing the Court closer to the people.
According to the statement, the delegation of ECOWAS Court President Judge Gberi be Ouattara, three other judges and staff arrived in Ilorin on February 20.
Ouattarra stated that the campaign, the first since its establishment 20 years ago, would be a major annual activity of the Court in the Member States.
He stated that the activity was intended to engage the various stakeholders in the Court’s mandate, jurisdiction and access.
“The campaign has been structured in such a way that the presentations respond to the specific needs of the target groups.
“Mainly judges and judicial personnel from the state, women’s groups, lawyers, students, media, law professors, as well as police, immigration and customs.
“Hopefully, the campaign will not only improve awareness of the Court among ECOWAS citizens in the State.
“But let them appreciate the option that the Court offers for the protection of their human rights, in line with its mandate,” said Ouattara.
The Court said the week-long program would be preceded by the Governor of the State, the Chief Judge of the State, the Attorney General and the Justice Commissioner.
The ECOWAS delegation will also pay similar visits to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Emir of Ilorin, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch.
The scope would equally extend to civil society groups, women’s groups, workers, various associations, members of academia and journalists.
The state governor is expected to declare the campaign open on Tuesday, in a ceremony announced to attract top government officials, judges, lawyers, students, law professors, representatives of women’s groups and journalists.
Also, as part of the event, a forum will be held for judges and judicial officials of the state, where the Court will make presentations on its relationship with the national courts on February 23.
State attorneys would also participate in a dedicated forum where they would benefit from the Court’s presentations on its mandate and jurisdiction, practice and procedures, as well as how cases were brought before it.
The women’s forum would allow the Court to engage with interested women, during which there would be a presentation on women’s rights.
The event would conclude with a press conference on February 25.
In the Court delegation there were three other judges; Judges Dupe Atoki, Keikura Bangura and Januaria Monterio Costa, as well as Court staff, according to the statement.
