President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Judicial Council on Thursday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Led by its Chairman and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the council delegation engaged in a two-day statutory meeting in Abuja, commencing on Tuesday.
Addressing the opening session of the meeting, CJN Ariwoola emphasized the council’s commitment to fostering a more just, peaceful, and integrated West Africa. He advocated for the harmonization of laws across the ECOWAS region to enhance legal coherence.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, also addressed the gathering, urging the ECOWAS court to refrain from issuing orders and judgments that are difficult to enforce. Fagbemi stressed the importance of considering the unique circumstances of member states and highlighted the challenge of enforcing certain judgments delivered by the regional court.
He emphasized the need to prioritize and expand alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the ECOWAS region to facilitate smoother conflict resolution processes.
The meeting between President Tinubu and the ECOWAS Judicial Council delegation underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen legal frameworks and promote cooperation within the West African sub-region.
