…sets to launch moot court competition
Ricardo Goncalves, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has called on legal practitioners, judges, and policymakers across West Africa to champion judicial reforms that prioritise accessibility, transparency, and inclusivity.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day sensitisation outreach in Lagos, he emphasised the urgent need to shift the region’s justice system from elite-driven processes to one that genuinely serves the interests of ordinary citizens.
The three-day Sensitisation Outreach Programme was held in Lagos, themed “Justice for All, Justice for All.” was part of the Court’s ongoing efforts to deepen public understanding of its mandate and bridge the justice gap across ECOWAS Member States.
Goncalves emphasised the need to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder access to justice, especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups.
“The perception of justice must shift from being elite-driven to one that truly reflects the interests and needs of the people,” he said.
In a bid to modernise and streamline judicial processes, the Court is currently implementing a suite of digital reforms, including electronic filing systems, virtual court hearings, and online access to court proceedings.
According to the president, these initiatives are aimed at making justice delivery faster, more transparent, and more inclusive.
Goncalves also appealed to academic institutions across the region to incorporate ECOWAS Community Law into their curricula, noting that legal education must evolve to reflect the realities of regional integration and cross-border justice.
As part of its outreach efforts, the Court said it would launch its first-ever Moot Court Competition in June 2025, targeting law students across ECOWAS countries.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the Court’s role and foster greater understanding of regional legal instruments among future legal practitioners.
He further urged lawyers to commit to offering pro bono legal services, encouraged judges to uphold judicial independence, and reminded Member States of their obligation to enforce the Court’s decisions and respect the human rights instruments they have ratified.
Goncalves further expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government and Lagos State Authorities for their support in hosting the sensitisation programme.
He reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to ongoing public engagement and pledged to take justice to the doorstep of every citizen in the region.
The sensitisation outreach is part of the ECOWAS Court’s strategy to promote legal literacy, build trust in regional judicial mechanisms, and ensure no one is left behind in the quest for justice.
