By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has called on the ECOWAS Judicial Council to work towards ensuring that member countries adhere strictly to the conduct of free and fair elections.
AGF also stated that the ECOWAS Judicial Council also stands in a pole position to work towards the promotion of rule of law and democratic governance, which has come under intense pressure in recent times.
“The judiciary should rise to the occasion in helping to stem the factors that precipitate military incursion into governance.
“The process of adherence to conduct of free and fair elections and constitutional governance must be protected” the AGF said.
Fagbemi made this known in Abuja, while addressing the opening ceremony of the Statutory Meeting of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, on Monday.
Speaking further, he called for result oriented review of the practice direction of the ECOWAS Court to avoid conflict of interests with courts of member countries and to make the court realize envisioned potential as a respectable regional court.
More so, the AGF urged the ECOWAS Council to provide credible network for the promotion of uniform rules of practice and procedure in the administration of justice in order to reduce conflict of laws in the region.
Fagbemi noted that as the ECOWAS block continues to work towards achieving uniform economic policies and institutions, the judiciary should not be left behind.
The AGF enjoined the ECOWAS Judicial Council to utilize the regional platform, as an avenue for peer review and cross-fertilization of ideas, to address the issues in order to achieve greater independence of the judiciary and a more prosperous and safer sub-region.
The challenges confronting the judiciary or the justice system in general across the West African states, he said, are identical in terms of judicial autonomy, provision of funding and infrastructural facilities for the courts, among others.
In the same vein, he said, member states also share the challenges confronting the region in terms of economy, migration, integration, insecurity, enforcement of fundamental rights.
Earlier in a keynote address, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola said the Council is working towards ensuring a a just and equitable society.
Justice Ariwoola appealed to members of the Council to reflect on the progress, challenges facing the Court, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
He charged member states to work towards safeguarding the principles of justice, upholding the rule of law, and advancing the cause of peace and prosperity.
“Let us reaffirm out Commitment to the protection of human rights, the promotion of regional integration, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means”.
Justice Ariwoola urged participants at the meeting to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations for the two days ahead and develop concrete recommendations to be sent to the Authority of Heads of State and Government to improve regional justice delivery in the subregion through the ECOWAS Court.
President of the Community Court of Justice, Eward Amoako Asante, in his speech, said since inception, he ECOWAS Court of Justice has served as a beacon of hope for the people of West Africa, providing a platform for the resolution of disputes and the protection and enforcement of fundamental rights.
He therefore restated the commitment of ECOWAS Judicial Council to upholding the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law within the ECOWAS Community.
