President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the importance of accountable judicial systems in preventing military coups and strengthening democracy in West Africa.
President Tinubu stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the ECOWAS Judicial Council led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
He assured support for comprehensive institutional reforms and lauded the judges for participating in the council meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, Justice Ariwoola emphasized the Council’s commitment to facilitating the effective functioning of the ECOWAS judicial system.
He said the Council, at the end of its meeting in Abuja, agreed to establish two sub-committees to address pertinent judiciary-related issues in the region. He also said the first sub-committee will look into the rules of procedure of the Council itself, which were found to be inadequate.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria explained that members from Benin Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone have been tasked to work on the rules of procedure on the Judicial Council.
He further explained that the Council of Ministers had tasked the Judicial Council, in collaboration with the Commission and the Community Court, to address the enforcement of judgments issued by the Community Court.
Justice Ariwoola stated that both sub-committees would present their findings to the Judicial Council, which would subsequently make recommendations to the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
