NBA President stresses enforcement as “Soul of Justice” in ECOWAS Court visit

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, has emphasized that the true meaning of justice lies in the faithful enforcement of court orders, not merely in eloquent rulings.

Osigwe made the remarks on his Facebook page on Tuesday while welcoming the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, along with distinguished judges and registry members, to the NBA National Secretariat.

“Enforcement of Court Orders Is the Soul of Justice,” Osigwe stated, stressing that judicial authority depends not only on pronouncements but also on the assurance that decisions are obeyed.

He noted that for a supranational court like the ECOWAS Court, compliance by member states is essential for legitimacy, credibility, and effective protection of human rights. Without enforcement, he warned, public confidence in regional justice mechanisms could erode.

During the visit, Osigwe assured Justice Gonçalves of the NBA’s commitment to constructive collaboration, aimed at strengthening compliance frameworks and fostering accountability across national and regional levels.

Justice Gonçalves highlighted enforcement as a pressing concern for the Court, urging sustained cooperation among the judiciary, the Bar, the executive, and civil society to build stronger pathways for timely implementation of rulings.

Osigwe added that the NBA would actively participate in ongoing stakeholder engagements to advance discussions on enforcement, emphasizing that “regional justice must not only be declared, it must be delivered. And delivery, in its truest sense, means compliance.”

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