Posted by The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has criticized governments in the area for failing to obey and execute its judgements in instances brought before it by aggrieved citizens.
While describing the attitude as deplorable, the Court lamented that its effectiveness had been limited by the disdain and disobedience to the decisions.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court, said at a public function of the Court in Abuja on Monday that despite the court’s remarkable record of rulings and courage owed to the independence and character of the justices, only 30% of its decisions are being executed.
Justice Asante, speaking in the Court’s new Abuja headquarters, recalled that for over ten years, the Court worked with the Nigerian government to find a replacement for its former office in Wuse, which he claimed had become hopelessly inadequate for its activities.
According to the Judge, the Court got its way somewhat in 2016 when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, with the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, committed to rent a new office for the Court to alleviate its ongoing lodging difficulty.
He commended the Nigerian government, through the Federal Capital Territory, for keeping its commitment by designating a temporary location for it in Abuja’s Gudu District.
According to Justice Asante, the new building will boost efficiency and productivity in its performance as an International Court of Justice, in addition to making life more comfortable for workers.
“The supply of this edifice not only overcomes the present accommodation issues of the Court but should encourage the Court to aspire to increased performance that is reflective of the more pleasant working relationship”.
Justice Asante informed ECOWAS member countries of the Court’s willingness to live up to expectations in order to strengthen its role as an important institution in the region’s legal interpretation.