On Monday, February 9, 2026, a high-powered delegation from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, led by its President, Hon. Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Goncalves, paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas.
The visit aimed to underscore the importance of member states’ commitment to judicial excellence and the effective execution of ECOWAS Court judgments within their respective jurisdictions.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Justice Goncalves expressed gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for receiving the delegation and highlighted that the ECOWAS Court of Justice is marking its 50th anniversary. He disclosed that the Court was undertaking a tour of three member states to review bilateral obligations, with the objective of strengthening compliance with and execution of the Court’s judgments.
Sierra Leone was the first stop on the tour, with subsequent visits planned for Guinea and Nigeria.
Hon. Justice Goncalves emphasized that the Court’s greatest challenge remains the poor level of adherence by member states to its judgments. He explained that the purpose of the visit was to sensitize national authorities and create awareness on the importance of implementing ECOWAS Court decisions, while seeking the intervention and support of the Rt. Hon. Speaker in addressing this challenge.
Welcoming the delegation, Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace, the rule of law, and regional cooperation. Drawing on his over two decades of experience as a legal practitioner, the Speaker acknowledged the importance of respecting and executing court judgments, stressing that “a court that fails to execute its judgments is not a court.”
Speaker Thomas encouraged the ECOWAS Court to engage more actively with the executive arms of member states to intensify dialogue and identify practical solutions to the challenges surrounding judgment enforcement.
He further assured the delegation that the Sixth Parliament, under his leadership, would provide full support for any legislative or institutional instruments aimed at strengthening the execution of ECOWAS Court judgments.
In his remarks, the President of the Court revealed that out of 18 cases involving member states, only one judgment had been fully executed, six cases adjourned, and 11 judgments remain pending execution. He noted that the slow pace of implementation had necessitated the Court’s engagement with national authorities to explore remedial measures.
The engagement between the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the Rt. Hon. Speaker, and other stakeholders is intended to deepen cooperation and ensure the effective implementation of the Court’s judgments across the region.
The visit underscores the importance of regional cooperation and member states’ adherence to ECOWAS judicial decisions, which are critical to strengthening the Court’s effectiveness and promoting judicial excellence. With Sierra Leone’s demonstrated commitment to peace and regional integration, the ECOWAS Court of Justice expressed optimism about finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing judgment execution.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a gift to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, followed by a photo session.