ECOWAS Court credibility depends on enforcement, judicial independence – Prof Abotsi
Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, has warned that the future credibility of the ECOWAS Court of Justice will depend largely on its ability to remain independent and ensure that its decisions are respected, even when member states find them politically inconvenient.
Prof Kofi Abotsi, Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, warned that the credibility of the ECOWAS Court of Justice hinges on its independence and enforcement of decisions, even when inconvenient to member states. The enforcement of orders remains a significant challenge due to member states' struggle between national interests, political considerations and obligations to a supranational judicial institution.
Abotsi highlighted that stronger human rights jurisprudence could provoke state resistance, and decisions criticizing member states expose the Court to political pressure. The professor stressed that political difficulties should not compromise the Court's judicial independence, as public and member state confidence in its ability to issue binding decisions free from political reprisals is crucial to its credibility and effectiveness.
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