Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called for the creation of an appellate mechanism within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, warning that the absence of such a system undermines access to justice in the region.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025/2026 legal year of the Court in Abuja, Fagbemi stressed that while the finality of judgments is essential, fairness requires that decisions be subject to review to correct possible errors.
“It is concerning that there is currently inadequate room for appeal against the judgments of the ECOWAS Court. While finality is important, justice must also be seen to be fair and revisable. The absence of a separate appellate mechanism limits access to justice,” he said.
Fagbemi urged the Court to learn from other regional judicial bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which he said embody transparency, independence, and accountability.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s support for the Court, he described it as central to regional integration, human rights enforcement, and stability. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice. I pledge to continue advocating for reforms that align domestic laws with regional obligations while respecting our constitutional order,” he said.
Also speaking, the President of Cabo Verde, José Neves, said community justice is vital for Africa’s credibility in global affairs, stressing that a respected tribunal is key to peace, democracy, and integration. He called for reforms in African sub-regional bodies to better address insecurity, migration, and climate change.
President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, disclosed that the Court received 34 new cases in the past year, delivered 54 rulings, and currently has 112 cases pending. He said many rulings reinforced the supremacy of community law and the justiciability of socio-economic rights.
