The ECOWAS Court of Justice has recorded yet another milestone in the number of decisions delivered in 2023.
According to statistics from the Community Court’s Registry Department indicate that 64 Decisions comprising 59 Judgments and 5 Rulings were delivered in 2023, a remarkable progress from 41 judgments rendered in 2022 and 2021 consecutively.
This is the highest number of Judgments delivered in a year since the Court’s inception in 2001.
The President of the ECOWAS Court Justice Edward Amoako Asante, speaking on the unprecedented feat of the court at the New Year Get-Together and Award Ceremony of the court, explained that the remarkable feat was an attestation to the diligence of the judges supported by the commitment of the staff.
“The other indices are also encouraging as we succeeded in reducing the number of pending cases to 165 at the end of 2023 compared to 180 at the end of 2022,” he added.
Justice Asante also enjoined staff to brace up for an anticipated increase in the number of human rights cases that may be filed before the Court following unrest in the region including attempted coups in Member States.
He expressed optimism that the Court will exceptionally deliver on its mandate in 2024 considering the recent additional recruitments and promotions to boost the productivity and performance of the Court.
From its inception in 2001, the Court has delivered 402 judgments on a total of 678 cases filed within the same period.
The statistics also indicate that since inception, the Court has held 1440 court proceedings, and rendered 29 Decisions on 41 Applications for revision of Judgment filed, while 168 cases including those filed at the beginning of 2024 are presently pending before it.
The Court which resumed activities on the 8th of January, 2024 after its end-of-year break, will commence court sessions on the 29th of January, 2024.
Speaking on the award night, Justice Asante said the award system recognises and rewards the exemplary contributions of staff during the previous year and will inspire other staff to higher productivity while also stimulating a positive work environment.
Awards were presented to outstanding staff in 5 categories, there were prizes for Best Staff in different departments and Judges Special Award to Overall Best Staff.
On the criteria for selection in the best staff categories, Dr William Towah, Director of Administration and Finance said that work performance, professionalism and work ethics, interpersonal communication skills, self-development and proactive were considered in the selection.
Mr Abiodun Omidiran and Mr Uche Daniel Nwoko won Best Staff Awards for Administration and Finance, and Registry Departments respectively, while Overall Best Staff went to Mr Aminu Abdullahi from the Research and Documentation Department.
An award for excellence in leadership and teamwork was presented to Mr Apraku Nketiah, Head of Legal Services, winner in the managerial positions’ category which was open to directors and heads of divisions.
In addition, the Court inaugurated the “Olivier Ahogny Award” for most popular staff in honour of a late diligent staff known for his amiability among staff and the judges.
The winner in this category was Mr Yusuf Usman in the Administration and Finance Department.
The New Year and Awards ceremony created an atmosphere that left the staff feeling inspired, connected and rejuvenated for judicial and extrajudicial activities in 2024.
Present at the event were Justices Gbèri-Be Ouattara (Vice President), Dupe Atoki, Sengu M. Mohammed and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.
Also present were the Chief Registrar, Directors, heads of divisions and units, and members of staff.
Some invited guests from the ECOWAS Community also attended the event.
Hauwa M.
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