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ECOWAS Court Retreat Opens with Focus on Strengthening Effectiveness
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
Armed Bandits Attack Ringa Village, Kidnap Four in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have carried out a deadly raid in Ringa Village, located in the Ringa District of Rafi Local Government Area in Niger State, kidnapping four individuals and causing widespread damage, the state police command confirmed.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that on April 18, 2025, at approximately 1000hrs, a large group of armed bandits and insurgents, riding on motorcycles, invaded the village. During the attack, the assailants abducted four men Anas Shuaibu, Isah Kazuga, Mande Samari, and Bazama Kiwoji who were all residents of the village.
In addition to the kidnapping, the bandits set fire to the village’s electricity transformer, plunging the community into darkness. They also stole four unregistered Bajaj motorcycles that had been abandoned by their owners, who fled in fear for their lives.
Security forces are currently conducting intensive operations in a bid to rescue the kidnapped victims and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
Armed Bandits Attack Ringa Village, Kidnap Four in Niger
Pastor Killed in Armed Robbery Attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a pastor in Bassa Local Government Area following an armed robbery incident that occurred late Friday night.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the he victim, identified as Pastor Yohanna Bitrus, 40, was attacked and killed by unidentified assailants who also stole his motorcycle.
The report was made by a resident, who informed the police that the incident took place at about 11:20 p.m. on April 18.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Bassa led patrol teams to the scene, where the victim was found with a deep machete cut on his chest
Pastor Bitrus was rushed to Bassa Cottage Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.
Following the incident, a joint team of the military, police and other security agencies was immediately deployed into the surrounding forest in pursuit of the suspects.
Pastor Killed in Armed Robbery Attack in Plateau
JNIM Claims Deadly Attack on Benin Military Bases, Says 70 Soldiers Killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group operating in the Sahel, has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on two military positions in northern Benin Republic on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
In a statement released through its propaganda channels, the group said it killed 70 Beninese soldiers during the assaults. The attacks reportedly targeted military companies stationed near the country’s northern borders with Burkina Faso and Niger – regions increasingly plagued by jihadist violence.
JNIM also published images of weapons and equipment it said were captured during the attacks. Among the items allegedly seized were:
American-made M2HB heavy machine guns, Five PP87 mortars of Chinese origin, Fifty-one rocket-assisted mortar shells, Three surveillance drones, Six motorcycles, Sixty-four grenades, Seventy-eight Kalashnikov rifles, Over 300 ammunition magazines, Type 80 and W-85 machine guns, Type 81-1 rifles Type 56-1 rocket launchers, and T69-1 anti-tank projectiles.
The Beninese government has yet to issue an official statement confirming the claims. However, security sources have confirmed that military operations are ongoing in the northern region, and reinforcements have been deployed to contain the situation.
JNIM, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has expanded its activities into coastal West African states in recent years, marking a shift in its operational footprint beyond Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
JNIM Claims Deadly Attack on Benin Military Bases, Says 70 Soldiers Killed
Armed Bandits Attack Ringa Village, Kidnap Four in Niger
Pastor Killed in Armed Robbery Attack in Plateau
EXCLUSIVE: Militia Supremacy Battle Fuels Deadly Attacks in Benue Community as 17 Killed
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