CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun urges ECOWAS Court to develop uniform procedures for judgment enforcement and consult stakeholders

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice to develop clear guidelines to ensure the enforcement of its judgments by member states.

The call was made on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Court’s President, Justice Ricardo Goncalves, and a delegation of judges.

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Justice Goncalves highlighted that a lack of political will and other challenges had resulted in approximately 80 per cent of the court’s judgments remaining unenforced.

He encouraged Nigeria to lead by example, stressing that compliance from one member state could inspire broader adherence across the sub-region.

Responding, Justice Kekere-Ekun commended the ECOWAS Court for its landmark rulings on fundamental human rights.

She emphasised that enforcement ultimately falls within the remit of the executive and advised the Court to use its upcoming Bilateral Meeting on the Status of Judgments to establish uniform procedures.

The Chief Justice further recommended wide stakeholder consultations to rework existing enforcement guidelines and pledged support for training initiatives through the National Judicial Institute.

Three other Justices of the Supreme Court John Inyang Okoro, Adamu Jauro, and Chioma Iheme-Nwosu—were also present at the meeting.

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The engagement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional judicial cooperation and advancing the implementation of ECOWAS Court rulings.