Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has urged a transformation toward more inclusive, accessible, and transparent justice systems throughout West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day Sensitization Outreach Programme held in Lagos, he reaffirmed the Court’s dedication to aligning its services with the real-world needs of ordinary citizens.
Under the theme “Justice for All, Justice for All,” President Gonçalves highlighted the importance of dismantling obstacles that prevent marginalized communities from obtaining legal redress .
He detailed a series of digital reforms already underway—electronic filing, virtual hearings, and online public access portals—designed to make judicial processes both faster and fairer.
Calling on legal educators, he asked law schools to integrate ECOWAS Community Law into their curricula and announced the launch of the Court’s inaugural Moot Court Competition in June 2025 .
He further appealed to practicing lawyers to increase pro bono services, reminded judges of their duty to uphold judicial independence, and pressed Member States to enforce the Court’s rulings and implement regional human-rights instruments .
Expressing appreciation to both the Nigerian federal government and Lagos State authorities for their support, he pledged that the Court would continue its outreach efforts to ensure justice reaches all parts of the region .
This Lagos initiative represents a key milestone in the ECOWAS Court’s broader public-engagement strategy .
President Gonçalves’s remarks underscore the Court’s shift toward a people-centered approach to regional jurisprudence .
(Reported by Ghana Business News, based on a Ghana News Agency dispatch.)
0 Comments