Nigeria has recently underscored the critical need for comprehensive reforms within the ECOWAS Court of Justice, aiming to significantly enhance community citizens' access to justice and effectively address a spectrum of contemporary challenges. This call was prominently made by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, during the ECOWAS Court’s 2025/2026 Legal Year celebration. The theme for this significant event, "ECOWAS Court and International Law: Expanding Access and Navigating Contemporary Challenges," served as a focal point for discussions.

The annual Legal Year celebration of the Community Court offers a crucial platform for introspection, allowing for a thorough review of its achievements, an honest assessment of ongoing challenges, and a strategic outlook towards future prospects. It also fosters a vital dialogue among various stakeholders, including ECOWAS institutions, member states, national courts, bar associations, academics, civil society organizations, and development partners.

Highlighting Nigeria's unwavering commitment, AGF Fagbemi affirmed, “Nigeria remains steadfast in its support for the ECOWAS Court of Justice. As the host nation, we recognise the Court’s pivotal role in promoting regional stability, economic integration, and human rights.” He further pledged Nigeria’s dedication to collaborating with other member states to bolster the Court’s effectiveness, independence, and overall accessibility. In his capacity as AGF, Fagbemi committed to advocating for legal reforms that harmonise domestic laws with regional obligations, while simultaneously safeguarding constitutional order and national laws.

Fagbemi lauded the event's theme as both “timely and profound,” noting its relevance in reflecting on the Court's evolving function as a crucial link between national legal frameworks and international norms. He emphasized that the ceremony served as an occasion to reaffirm a collective dedication to justice, regional integration, and the rule of law, unequivocally stating that the ECOWAS Court stands as the bloc's guardian of rights and obligations.

To overcome existing challenges and improve justice access, the Minister strongly urged ECOWAS member states to pursue uniformity in legal standards, ensure enforcement reciprocity, and conduct fair reviews of judicial performance. He articulated a vision for the ECOWAS legal space, stating it “must not be a patchwork of divergent systems but a harmonised framework that promotes credibility, fairness, and mutual respect.”

Furthermore, Fagbemi recommended that the ECOWAS Court adopt best practices from other established regional courts and tribunals. He specifically cited the European Court of Human Rights, the East African Court of Justice, and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights as exemplary institutions. He clarified that such "comparative learning is not imitation. It is evolution." By studying how these courts manage appellate review, enforce judgments, engage with civil society, and balance sovereignty with supranational authority, the ECOWAS Court can effectively refine its own processes and strengthen its data-driven decision-making.

Acknowledging existing ECOWAS initiatives, the AGF also pressed the Court to institutionalize Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. This, he argued, would broaden access to justice and raise awareness across all member states regarding available legal avenues. Additionally, the Minister called upon the Court to complement the efforts of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in its fight against corruption, money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing.

“The ECOWAS Court must continue to interpret and enforce legal standards and complement GIABA’s efforts, ensuring that justice systems are not exploited by criminal networks and that financial integrity is preserved across the region,” Fagbemi concluded, underscoring the multifaceted role of the Court in upholding justice and stability within the West African community.