The Attorney-General of Federation ( AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has called for crucial reforms and enhanced cooperation within the judiciary across West African nations.
The AGF made the call at the opening ceremony of the Statutory Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, which had judicial leaders from the sub-region.
Fagbemi commended the Chief Justices and judicial representatives from various ECOWAS member states for their vital roles in the administration of justice.
He noted the shared challenges faced by national courts, including issues of judicial autonomy, funding, and infrastructure, and urged the council to use this regional platform to address these concerns collectively.
“The challenges confronting the judiciary or the justice system in general across the States are identical,” Fagbemi noted.
“I therefore humbly enjoin your Lordships to utilize this regional platform, as an avenue for peer review and cross-fertilization of ideas, to achieve greater independence of the judiciary, a more prosperous and safer sub-region.”
Fagbemi also advocated for a reform-oriented review of the practice and procedure of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to mitigate conflicts with national courts and enhance the court’s effectiveness as a regional judicial body.
The Attorney-General emphasized the judiciary’s role in promoting the rule of law and democratic governance, especially in light of recent pressures on these principles.
He called on the judiciary to help prevent military incursions into governance by ensuring adherence to free and fair elections and constitutional governance.
“As the ECOWAS block continues to work towards achieving uniform economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not be left behind,” Fagbemi said.
He proposed that the ECOWAS Judicial Council foster a credible network for promoting uniform rules of practice and procedure, thus reducing legal conflicts across the region.
Notable judicial figures at the opening ceremony included the Chief Justices of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, and that of Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, as well as representatives from Senegal and Togo, and the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
The meeting is aimed at enhancing judicial collaboration in addressing regional challenges and promoting the rule of law, economic integration, and democratic governance in West Africa.
