Lagos Chief Judge Raises Concerns Over ECOWAS Court Judgement Enforcement

Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has raised concerns about enforcing ECOWAS Court of Justice rulings in sovereign states with differing political systems.

ECOWAS Court Commended for Upholding Regional Justice

Justice Alogba shared his concerns on Thursday while receiving ECOWAS Court President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, during a courtesy visit in Lagos.

He praised the ECOWAS Court for its strong jurisprudence and vital role in promoting legal accountability across West Africa.

“Courts like the ECOWAS Court are crucial in fighting impunity, even when enforcement of rulings is difficult,” Alogba said.

Court Sensitisation and Outreach Underway

In response, Justice Gonçalves explained that his visit was part of a public sensitisation campaign ahead of the court’s external sessions scheduled for May 5–7 and May 8–16 in Lagos.

He said the events aim to boost public awareness and improve access to justice across the region.

ECOWAS Court Loses Three Member States

Justice Gonçalves also commented on the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, which reduced the court’s participating countries from 15 to 12.

He described the loss of member states as unfortunate but reaffirmed the court’s commitment to regional legal integration.

Justice Alogba’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenges in cross-border enforcement of international court decisions. As ECOWAS pushes for broader engagement, stakeholders continue to call for stronger legal cooperation across West Africa.