The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has raised concern over the persistent failure of some West African countries to enforce its rulings, warning that continued non-compliance threatens the credibility of the regional justice system. In a statement delivered during a judicial forum in Abuja today, the President of the Court, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, described the enforcement gap as “one of the major setbacks” undermining justice and regional integration across the 15 ECOWAS member states.
Justice Asante urged governments to domesticate ECOWAS Court rulings into their national legal frameworks and take clear steps to execute judgments, particularly those involving human rights. He noted that while the Court has made progress in case handling and accessibility, actual compliance by member states remains alarmingly low. “It’s not enough to win a case; justice must be seen to be done by way of enforcement,” he said. He called on legal stakeholders and national authorities to collaborate in ensuring the Court’s decisions carry the force of law across borders, stressing that such regional instruments are vital for strengthening democracy and human rights in West Africa.
