The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, has urged Nigeria to demonstrate stronger commitment to enforcing the Court’s judgments, saying such action would reinforce the rule of law across West Africa and boost public trust in regional justice.
Gonçalves made the call on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during a bilateral meeting in Abuja between the Court and Nigerian authorities focused on improving enforcement of the Court’s decisions.
He disclosed that since the Court’s establishment, a total of 128 cases have been filed against Nigeria. According to him, 66 of the cases have been concluded, 10 fully enforced, while 52 remain pending execution.
The Court President emphasized that Nigeria’s influence in the region places a special responsibility on the country to uphold legal obligations and set a standard for other member states.
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He said the statistics were not meant as criticism but as a basis for reflection and cooperation, noting that stronger compliance by Nigeria would enhance the authority of the Court, demonstrate commitment to regional law, and encourage other countries to follow suit.
Gonçalves explained that delays in enforcing judgments are often linked to institutional and structural challenges rather than deliberate refusal.Â
He identified key obstacles to include weak coordination mechanisms, administrative and financial limitations, political sensitivity surrounding certain rulings, ineffective sanctions enforcement, and poor collaboration among government agencies.
He added that true regional leadership is reflected not only in economic or political strength but also in consistent respect for legal commitments undertaken within the ECOWAS framework.