ECOWAS Court Urges Localised Justice Delivery

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has urged West African states to decentralise access to justice, stressing that legal systems must serve citizens at every level of society.

This appeal came during the Court’s 2025 sensitisation outreach launched in Lagos on Monday.

According to The Nation Newspaper, the Court’s President, Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Goncalves, while addressing participants at the Eko Hotels and Suites, declared:

“Justice must no longer be the language of the privileged or a distant dream but the birthright of every citizen — from the remotest village to the bustling urban centres.”

He described the outreach as a critical move to connect the Court with the public through legal education, stakeholder engagement, and upcoming external court sessions from May 8 to 16.

Emphasising reforms such as e-filing, virtual hearings, and online access to judgments, Justice Goncalves said the Court is committed to transparency and removing barriers for ordinary citizens.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, reaffirmed the Court’s role in addressing transnational issues like terrorism and corruption, saying it complements rather than threatens national judiciaries.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the programme, calling it “a vital step toward making justice more visible and accessible.”

The sensitisation week continues with legal workshops, public dialogues, and outreach activities aimed at fostering regional legal awareness and strengthening the rule of law across ECOWAS member states.