ECOWAS Court Retreat Opens with Focus on Strengthening Effectiveness

By: Michael Mike

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court, Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves has officially opened a three-day judicial retreat focused on strengthening the effectiveness of the Court’s operations.

The retreat, themed “Judicial Case Management: Relation Between the Office of the Honourable President, Honourable Judges, Registry Department, and Legal Research & Documentation Department,” brought together judges, directors and staff of the Court to foster reflection, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gonçalves emphasised the importance of the retreat as a platform for reflection and actionable planning, noting that: “This retreat is not merely a break from our daily responsibilities; it is an opportunity to reassess our practices, innovate, and reinforce the collaborative ties that unite us.”

He expressed confidence that the deliberations would yield impactful resolutions to enhance the Court’s role as the principal legal organ of the ECOWAS Community.

The President also acknowledged the financial constraints facing the Court and advocated for resource optimization through technological innovations such as virtual meetings. He called on participants to embrace pragmatic solutions that prioritise the Court’s core functions while adapting to current realities.

Over the next three days, participants will be deliberating on key judicial sub-themes moderated by the Honourable Judges, with presentations by directors and staff. Key topics for discussion include writ of execution and implementation in member states; standardising the rulings and orders made in open court; discrepancies between the common law and civil law practices in interlocutory applications and motions; modalities and best practices for translating court decisions; and guidelines for collaboration between research and judges’ chambers.

Gonçalves stressed the importance of these discussions, saying, that “with active engagement, I am confident we will propose meaningful improvements that will enhance the Court’s processes and amplify its impact.”

The Chief Registrar of the Court, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama highlighted the Retreat’s aligns with the Court’s mandate under Article 32 of the Court’s Protocol, which empowers the Court to periodically review its Rules of Procedure to resolve ambiguities from the process of filing to final disposition of cases.

He said that: “This retreat aims to enhance case management through improved guidelines and recommendations.”

The 2024 Judicial Retreat marks the first major activity organised under the Court’s new leadership, and underscores its commitment to transparency, accountability and excellence. The Retreat is being attended by the Honourable Judges, Chief Registrar, Directors, and staff both in-person and virtually, marking a pivotal step towards a more dynamic and effective ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court, Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves has officially opened a three-day judicial retreat focused on strengthening the effectiveness of the Court’s operations.

The retreat, themed “Judicial Case Management: Relation Between the Office of the Honourable President, Honourable Judges, Registry Department, and Legal Research & Documentation Department,” brought together judges, directors and staff of the Court to foster reflection, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gonçalves emphasised the importance of the retreat as a platform for reflection and actionable planning, noting that: “This retreat is not merely a break from our daily responsibilities; it is an opportunity to reassess our practices, innovate, and reinforce the collaborative ties that unite us.”

He expressed confidence that the deliberations would yield impactful resolutions to enhance the Court’s role as the principal legal organ of the ECOWAS Community.

The President also acknowledged the financial constraints facing the Court and advocated for resource optimization through technological innovations such as virtual meetings. He called on participants to embrace pragmatic solutions that prioritise the Court’s core functions while adapting to current realities.

Over the next three days, participants will be deliberating on key judicial sub-themes moderated by the Honourable Judges, with presentations by directors and staff. Key topics for discussion include writ of execution and implementation in member states; standardising the rulings and orders made in open court; discrepancies between the common law and civil law practices in interlocutory applications and motions; modalities and best practices for translating court decisions; and guidelines for collaboration between research and judges’ chambers.

Gonçalves stressed the importance of these discussions, saying, that “with active engagement, I am confident we will propose meaningful improvements that will enhance the Court’s processes and amplify its impact.”

The Chief Registrar of the Court, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama highlighted the Retreat’s aligns with the Court’s mandate under Article 32 of the Court’s Protocol, which empowers the Court to periodically review its Rules of Procedure to resolve ambiguities from the process of filing to final disposition of cases.

He said that: “This retreat aims to enhance case management through improved guidelines and recommendations.”

The 2024 Judicial Retreat marks the first major activity organised under the Court’s new leadership, and underscores its commitment to transparency, accountability and excellence. The Retreat is being attended by the Honourable Judges, Chief Registrar, Directors, and staff both in-person and virtually, marking a pivotal step towards a more dynamic and effective ECOWAS Court of Justice.

ECOWAS Court Retreat Opens with Focus on Strengthening Effectiveness

UN Collaborates to Ensure People Living with Disabilities Are No Longer Deprived

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations is collaborating with Nigerian government to ensure that people living with disabilities in the country are not shortchanged neither deprived because of their condition.

The United Nations on Tuesday conveyed the Review and Validation of the Situation Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Multistakeholder Capacity-Building Workshop at the UN House in Abuja hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and had in attendance varied stakeholders.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Head of Abuja Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo said: “This event represents a significant moment in our collective journey toward disability inclusion in Nigeria. The Situation Analysis, conducted across selected geopolitical zones earlier this year, provides valuable insights into the status, challenges, and opportunities for persons with disabilities. It aligns with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and reflects our shared commitment to equity and inclusion.”

He noted that: “The analysis revealed critical findings that require immediate attention. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, needs to be reviewed to become fully CRPD-compliant. Gaps such as the exclusion of private organisations from the 5% employment quota, lack of provisions for reasonable adjustments and assistive technology for employees with disabilities, absence of guarantees for digital accessibility, and the missing costed implementation plan need to be addressed urgently.

“This requires amendments in consultation with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and the support of international cooperation.

“It is also crucial to enhance the capacity of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to fulfill its role as an independent monitoring entity. Developing its organisational structure, guidelines, and working methods for disability inclusion, while ensuring meaningful engagement of OPDs, will be a step forward. Additionally, the significant disability data gap, particularly the lack of administrative data and its inclusion in general surveys, needs to be tackled. The government must roll out a detailed implementation plan for the Nigeria Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan, with annual targets, indicators, and budget allocations.”

He noted that: “The Revised National Policy on Inclusive Education in Nigeria (2023) is another area requiring attention, as it lacks an implementation plan. Prioritizing its rollout with a costed plan, specific targets, and indicators, in consultation with OPDs and other stakeholders, is essential to ensuring access to quality education for all.”

He said: “Today marks the beginning of a process that will ensure these challenges are addressed comprehensively.”

UN Collaborates to Ensure People Living with Disabilities Are No Longer Deprived

FAAC: Zulum orders cabinet to rid dependence, work towards meat export

… Swears in 2 new commissioners

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umar Zulum, has directed his cabinet to work on shifting focus from reliance on federal allocations toward enhancing livestock production and exportation.

The governor gave the order on Tuesday after supervising the swearing-in of two commissioners into the state executive council.

Zulum noted that with proper investment in livestock, the state’s revenue generation capacity would be improved while gradually getting rid of the dependency on monthly federal allocation.

Governor Zulum said, “We must work hard and reduce our dependency on federal allocation. This is the time for us to start thinking out of the box and create wealth as soon as possible.”

“Let’s invest in projects that will bring money to the state; we can make a lot of money in livestock. We are not taking it lightly anymore. Let’s procure high-yield livestock and invest in milk production. The market is ready, and it doesn’t cost much for us to invest in milk production.”

“We will immediately start looking towards strategic investments in aquaculture; there is money in the fishing business; we have vast potential in agriculture; all we need is to invest wisely.”

He noted that with the rich pastoral heritage of the state, Borno can be a key player in the national and international beef markets.

“We can also invest in meat production, with the international wing taking off at our airport, we are close to Asian and Arab countries, so we can start exporting meat as soon as possible. We don’t need much to start but the commitment and political will,” Zulum said.

The governor also announced the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock with the state deputy governor, Umar Usman Karafur, as the supervising commissioner.

“I want to use this opportunity to announce the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock which should align its mission with that of the federal government,” Zulum said.

… Swears in 2 new commissioners

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has supervised the swearing-in of two new commissioners joining the state executive council.

The two commissioners, Alhaji Umar Lawan Dalorima and Architect Isa Ali Haladu, were appointed to replace the late commissioners of the Ministry of Finance, Ahmed Ali, and that of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, Engr Ibrahim Idriss.

The Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zanna, administered the oath of office and allegiance.

FAAC: Zulum orders cabinet to rid dependence, work towards meat export