ABUJA: The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has pledged her commitment to support the ECOWAS Court of Justice in achieving its mandate as a Community Court. Justice Kekere-Ekun made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Honourable President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and the Honourable Vice President Sengu Mohamed Koroma, in Abuja, Nigeria. She expressed her readiness to foster a close and productive relationship with the ECOWAS Court, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and robust working relationships.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the visit underscored the ECOWAS Court’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with national courts across the region and strengthening judicial cooperation, particularly in the enforcement of its judgments. Justice Kekere-Ekun acknowledged the achievements of the Court and congratulated Justice Gonçalves and Justice Koroma on their recent elections.
Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves,
who hails from Cape Verde and assumed office as President on October 14th, 2024, expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for her warm reception. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining open dialogue and forming strong partnerships with courts across the region, indicating an aim to engage in continuous dialogue with national courts and Nigeria’s National Judicial Council.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Court, Sengu M. Koroma from Sierra Leone, also pledged the Community Court’s readiness to collaborate with national courts. He expressed admiration for Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership and stressed the importance of a fruitful working relationship with Nigeria’s Judicial Council.
Justice Kekere-Ekun acknowledged the significant challenges surrounding the enforcement of judgments and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to support the ECOWAS Court’s mandate.