NBA, ECOWAS Court push for stronger enforcement of judgment
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the ECOWAS Court of Justice have renewed calls for stricter compliance with judicial rulings, stressing that enforcement of court decisions is essential to sustaining
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the ECOWAS Court of Justice have renewed calls for stricter compliance with judicial rulings, stressing that enforcement of court decisions is essential to sustaining the credibility and authority of legal institutions.
This position was underscored when NBA President Afam Osigwe received the President of the regional court, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, alongside judges and senior registry officials, at the association’s national secretariat.
In a statement, Osigwe while welcoming the delegation, described the visit as timely and strategic, noting that it focused on what he called a fundamental issue for the survival of judicial systems — the enforcement of judgments.
He said judicial authority does not rest solely on the delivery of decisions but on the assurance that such decisions will be obeyed, warning that routine disobedience of court orders weakens the very foundation of justice.
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He emphasised that for a supranational tribunal to retain legitimacy and public confidence, its rulings must be treated as binding obligations rather than advisory pronouncements.
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According to him, enforcement is the “lifeblood of adjudication,” adding that without compliance, even well-reasoned judgments risk becoming symbolic.
The NBA president pledged the association’s readiness to work with the court on practical and sustainable measures aimed at improving adherence to its rulings and strengthening respect for its authority across the West African sub-region.
In his remarks, Gonçalves expressed appreciation for the reception and the opportunity to engage directly with leaders of Nigeria’s legal profession.
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He said the court’s ongoing visits to member states are primarily intended to address persistent challenges linked to enforcement of its decisions.
He noted that judges of the court consider compliance a pressing institutional concern with far-reaching implications for its credibility and long-term relevance.
He added that the effectiveness of regional human rights protection and treaty enforcement, depends largely on the willingness of member states of ECOWAS to domesticate and implement its rulings.
"Without effective enforcement frameworks, public confidence in regional justice mechanisms may gradually erode," he warned.
Gonçalves stressed that resolving the challenge requires collaboration among the judiciary, legal practitioners, the executive arm of government and civil society, noting that dialogue, clear enforcement pathways and political will are crucial to ensuring judgments are respected and implemented promptly.
He invited members of the NBA to participate actively in stakeholder engagements aimed at developing solutions to compliance concerns and strengthening commitment to regional justice.
Osigwe reaffirmed the association’s commitment to initiatives that reinforce accountability, judicial independence and respect for court orders, describing enforcement as “not a procedural afterthought, but the very soul of justice.”
Both institutions expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and coordinated action would enhance compliance frameworks and safeguard the authority of the ECOWAS Court across the sub-region.
