By Peter Omopo
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called on the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to strengthen its dedication to justice and the rule of law in West Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Court’s Sensitisation Outreach and External Court Sessions held in Victoria Island, Lagos, the governor emphasized the need for collective commitment to justice as a pathway to a peaceful and inclusive region.
“It is only through collective dedication to justice that we can truly build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive West African community where every individual feels protected and empowered,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He described Lagos as more than a city—“a bridge connecting cultures, economies, and ideas”—and commended the ECOWAS Court for bringing its sessions closer to the people. According to him, the court’s presence in Lagos strengthens regional integration and brings justice within reach of ordinary citizens.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed gratitude to the President of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, for selecting Lagos as the host for the court’s external sitting.
In his keynote address, Justice Gonçalves reiterated the importance of accessible justice, rejecting the perception of courts as institutions reserved for the elite.
“Justice hidden is justice denied. We are not just court officials—we are agents of transformation,” he said. “It’s time to take justice beyond the courtroom and into the daily lives of the people.”
The external court sessions aim to raise public awareness about the ECOWAS Court’s role in safeguarding human rights and promoting regional justice.
