The Nigerian government has advised the ECOWAS Court of Justice to review its practice and procedure to avoid conflict with national courts. Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of the statutory meeting of the ECOWAS Judicial Council in Abuja. Mr Fagbemi urged the ECOWAS Judicial Council to promote uniform rules of practice and procedure in the administration of justice in order to reduce conflict of laws in the subregion.
In February, the Justice Minister advised Chief Justices of ECOWAS member states in February to avoid making orders that are unenforceable. In his address at the event on Monday, Mr Fagbemi reiterated his advice, calling on the regional court to desist from making orders that are in conflict with national courts of member states. He said while the ECOWAS block strives to fashion out uniformity in economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not lag behind.
The minister identified key problems confronting the judiciary in West Africa like lack of judicial autonomy and inadequate funding leading to infrastructure deficits. PREMIUM TIMES delivers fact-based journalism for Nigerians, by Nigerians — and our community of supporters, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth, meticulously researched news and information.
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