President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has called for strengthened institutional collaboration, efficiency, and accountability as core pillars of judicial service within the regional court.
Justice Gonçalves made the call on Sunday during the opening of the 2025 Judicial Retreat of the Court, taking place from 26 to 31 October 2025 at Zuma Resort, Niger State.
In his address, the Court President described the annual retreat as an essential platform for reflection, accountability, and institutional growth. He commended the judges and staff for a productive judicial year and lauded the successful organisation of the 2025/2026 Legal Year Opening Ceremony, which reaffirmed the judiciary’s central role in advancing ECOWAS integration.
“The credibility of this Court is not written merely in our statutes; it is built daily through our conduct, diligence, and unity of purpose,” he said. “This retreat must therefore serve as both a moment of reflection and a renewal of our commitment to discipline, integrity, and excellence in the service of justice.”
Justice Gonçalves identified five strategic priorities to guide the Court’s operations in the coming year:
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Strengthening collaboration between judges’ chambers and all departments.
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Institutionalising the implementation of retreat recommendations.
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Upholding discipline and ethics as non-negotiable standards of service.
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Enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of judicial processes.
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Promoting unity and institutional loyalty within the Court.
Chief Registrar of the Court, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, outlined the objectives of the retreat, explaining that it is designed to build the capacity of staff to better support the judicial functions of the Court.
“The retreat aims to enhance efficiency, productivity, and synergy across all departments while deepening understanding of comparative judicial practices and procedural laws,” he said.
The 2025 Judicial Retreat, themed “Efficiency and Effectiveness: Streamlining Processes for a Dynamic ECOWAS Court,” will include performance evaluations of departments, a review of previous retreat recommendations, and sessions on international best practices covering summary hearings, interim measures, accelerated procedures, and judicial reforms.
Expected outcomes include the adoption of the Court’s Annual Performance Report (October 2024–October 2025) and the Manual of Disciplinary Procedure for Staff, aimed at promoting greater accountability and professionalism within the institution.
