Fagbemi Urges West African States to Harmonise Legal Frameworks

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called for the harmonisation of legal standards across West Africa, stressing that a unified legal framework is crucial for justice, regional stability, and integration.

Speaking on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, Fagbemi said the regional court must act as a bridge between national legal systems and international law while protecting rights and obligations across member states.

“The ECOWAS legal space must not be a patchwork of divergent systems, but a harmonised framework that promotes predictability, fairness, and mutual respect,” he said.

Fagbemi commended the Court’s innovations, including virtual hearings and electronic filing, describing them as “forward-thinking measures that have expanded access to justice across borders.”

He noted that threats such as terrorism and cybercrime ignore national boundaries and called for collective adaptation of legal systems. “The ECOWAS Court has a role to play in interpreting regional instruments that support coordinated security responses while safeguarding fundamental rights,” he added.

On governance challenges, the AGF expressed concern over democracy in the region, highlighting electoral disputes, unconstitutional changes of government, and suppression of civic freedoms as issues requiring principled adjudication.

Fagbemi also lauded the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) for its work in promoting anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks. “The ECOWAS Court must continue to enforce legal standards that complement GIABA’s efforts, ensuring financial integrity is preserved across the region,” he said.

Encouraging reforms, Fagbemi urged the Court to learn from other regional institutions to enhance judicial processes, strengthen legitimacy, and explore alternatives such as mediation and arbitration.

He expressed concern over the absence of a separate appellate mechanism for the Court’s judgments, noting that it limits access to justice where errors of law or procedure may occur.

Fagbemi reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the ECOWAS Court in enhancing its effectiveness, independence, and accessibility.