Abuja — The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will on Thursday, October 2, 2025, formally open its 2025/2026 Legal Year at the Court’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The ceremony, a key event in the Court’s annual calendar, will bring together regional leaders, legal experts, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives to review the Court’s activities over the past year and unveil its programmes for the new legal year.
This year’s celebration will be held under the theme “ECOWAS Court and International Law: Expanding Access and Navigating Contemporary Challenges.” It will feature statements from top government officials, heads of ECOWAS institutions, the diplomatic corps, and a keynote address on the theme.
His Excellency José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cape Verde, is expected to deliver a special address, while Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Court, will deliver the opening speech.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, stated that the legal year is both a tradition and a necessity, providing an opportunity to reflect on achievements and challenges while reinforcing the Court’s commitment to justice, human rights and regional integration.
