President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro, has asked West African governments to do more to enforce the court’s rulings.
He made the call while closing a two-day meeting in Lagos that brought together national legal authorities from across ECOWAS countries.
“With a deep sense of accomplishment, and a measure of nostalgia, we draw the curtain on this landmark gathering,” he said.
Justice Monteiro warned that the court’s authority depends on how well countries obey its decisions.
“The effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice hinges on the goodwill and commitment of Member States,” he stated.
Although the court’s rulings are binding under Article 15(4) of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, many countries have failed to act on them.
He said governments that haven’t yet appointed competent authorities to enforce the rulings must do so quickly.
Call for Domestication of ECOWAS Protocols
Justice Monteiro said the court’s impact remains limited in countries where ECOWAS treaties are not part of national laws.
“Without domestication, the enforceability of the Court’s judgments is significantly hindered,” he said, urging lawmakers to take action.
He explained that in dualist countries, international agreements must first be passed into national law before they can be enforced.
The Lagos meeting allowed legal experts to discuss solutions to the long-standing issue of enforcement.
“This meeting has not only marked a new beginning, but has also laid the foundation for stronger collaboration between the court and national authorities,” Monteiro added.
The meeting, held under the theme “Enhancing the Role, Relevance, and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice”, focused on how to make the court more impactful.
Participants discussed how poor communication, frequent leadership changes, and lack of cooperation have blocked enforcement of court decisions.
The court also urged the creation of clear guidelines for awarding reparations and ensuring direct contact with government officials.
Only 10 Judgments Enforced in Nigeria
Acting Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, Mr Gaye Sowe, said the meeting provided real strategies to solve the enforcement challenge.
“These strategies are designed to make the Court’s judgments more impactful and enforceable by improving understanding, coordination, and cooperation,” he said.
Sowe added that national authorities need proper technical training and consistent contact with the court to get things done.
“The challenge of enforcement has persisted for years,” he said. “This meeting has provided a platform for legal and technical experts to propose practical solutions.”
Since a major amendment to the court’s protocols in 2005, the ECOWAS Court has handled over 400 cases.
Out of those, 125 came from Nigeria. Only 10 of the Nigerian judgments have been enforced, while 50 remain pending and 65 were dismissed.
Justice Monteiro urged countries to do more to integrate ECOWAS legal instruments into their national systems.
“Crucially, it has strengthened the bonds of cooperation between the Court and national authorities,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that ECOWAS member states must not let the court’s rulings become empty declarations.
“Our judgments must not be merely symbolic, but effectively translated into real and lasting justice for the peoples of our region,” he said.
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