Africa-Press – Liberia. The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS has concluded a week-long stakeholder engagement in the Togolese Republic. The delegation from the Court led by Honourable President Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, held a series of sensitization activities including a townhall meeting with various stakeholders, a technical workshop for legal professionals and law students, and a judicial dialogue with members of the Togolese judiciary.
During the sessions, President Gonçalves underscored the Court’s commitment to working closely with Member States, national courts, legal practitioners, academia, civil society and the media to promote a clearer understanding of the Court’s mandate, jurisdiction, jurisprudence and its complementary role within the regional legal order. He clarified that the regional Court is neither a political institution nor an appellate court over national court decision.
“The Court seeks to develop a body of jurisprudence that respects national systems, remains consistent with international norms, and takes into account the doctrine of complementarity between national and regional courts,” he stated. President Gonçalves thanked the Togolese authorities for facilitating the mission and reaffirmed the Court’s readiness to foster cooperation.
In his remarks, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Togolese Republic H.E. Pacôme Yawovi Adjourouvi acknowledged the objectives of the sensitization outreach aimed at increasing citizens’ understanding of the mandate of the Court, its procedure and its role in the protection of human rights among others.
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Budget H.E. Essowé Georges Barcola, represented by the Director General of Budget Mr Essokiza Anakpa, applauded the objectives of the mission and hoped that the public will be better informed on the role of the Court, its competence, access to the Court and Community Law.
Madam Deweh Emily Gray, Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS to Togo, equally commended the initiative of the Court to bring justice closer to the people as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
In the course of the presentation sessions, participants were introduced to the Court’s new Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) that enables lawyers to file and manage cases remotely.
Furthermore, the availability of hybrid court hearings that allow in-person and online participation for broader access to justice.
During the Judicial Dialogue, President Gonçalves reiterated that national courts remain the primary defenders of human rights and constitutional order, stressing that strengthened cooperation — including judicial exchanges, training initiatives, shared legal resources and enforcement collaboration — is essential to advancing justice and regional integration.
The President lauded the success of the inaugural ECOWAS Court Moot Court Competition held in June 2025 and confirmed preparations for its next edition as part of efforts to nurture the next generation of legal experts.
He urged all stakeholders to continue engaging with the Court for the advancement of justice, the rule of law, human rights and regional integration.
Among those present were the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Minister of Finance and Budget, Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS in Togo, judges, president and members of the Togolese Bar Association, representatives of government agencies, academics, law students, civil society groups and community citizens.
The delegation from the Court included Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Member of the Court), Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama (Chief Registrar), Mr Apraku Nketiah (Head, Legal Services) and other key staff of the Court.
Last week, the ECOWAS Court was in the Republic of Liberia for a similar outreach programme. The Community Court is implementing series of sensitisation outreach and stakeholder engagement activities in Member States in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. It will hold a subsequent outreach programme in Cabo Verde at a later date.
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