Sanwo-Olu Tasks ECOWAS Court with Judicial Integrity
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to focus on strengthening its judicial system, emphasizing its importance in advancing regional integration.
Sanwo-Olu made the call during the opening session of the ‘Sensitisation Outreach and External Court Sessions’ organized by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice at Victoria Island, Lagos.
He remarked: “As we begin this important event, I encourage everyone—judges, legal experts, civil society members, and the public—to engage fully and with a shared sense of purpose.
Let us use this platform to promote justice, enhance our regional relationships, and unlock the immense potential within our West African community.”
He further stated, “Our collective goal should be to safeguard human rights, reinforce legal systems, and ensure that justice is accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable.
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By fostering collaboration and utilizing innovative partnerships, such as the one between ECOWAS and organizations like the UNHCR, we can address the critical challenges our region faces and transform ideals of equity, peace, and prosperity into reality for every citizen.”
Sanwo-Olu also emphasized Lagos’ crucial role as a hub for trade, investment, and cultural exchange, noting that the city reflects the spirit of unity and progress that ECOWAS aims to foster across the region.
“We recognize that the issues we face—be it security, economic growth, or human rights—require collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to justice and fairness,” he added.
The session also saw remarks from former President of the ECOWAS Community Court, Femi Falana, SAN, who praised the court for its progress in fast-tracking judgments and the introduction of an electronic filing system.
He acknowledged that the electronic system, introduced post-2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a significant improvement for lawyers in the region.
“Thanks to the efforts of the former leadership of the court, including Mr. Ndebaye, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Acheneji, the electronic filing system has made it easier for lawyers to submit their papers without needing to travel to Abuja. This advancement has been a blessing, especially for domestic courts,” Falana said.
The event highlighted the growing importance of digital tools in improving the efficiency of legal proceedings and fostering greater access to justice in the region.
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Image Credit | thesun.ng
