Three months after the suspension of sittings as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECOWAS Court of Justice is set to resume its sessions on Monday, June 22.
A statement issued by the communications department of the court on Friday, said that the sessions are going to be virtual while 10 judgments are proposed to be delivered during the inaugural sitting.
Going by the directive of the President of the Court, Hon. Justice Edward Asante, the sub-regional body had already begun the test run of the Virtual Court Session to enable the court adapt to the challenges of the pandemic.
Justice Asante clarified that it has become imperative for the Court to explore the use of Electronic Case Management System for filling (e-filling) and Virtual Court Sessions, and where necessary, physical court sessions under strict conditions.
He said this is to prevent the spread of the virus, whilst ensuring the unabated discharge of its judicial mandate.
“The Articles of the Practice Direction are definitive about the procedures for the electronic filing of legal documents and electronic service of legal documents, including modalities for virtual court sessions, recording of proceedings, judgments and rulings as well as physical court sessions in exceptional cases,” he said.
The Court’s president further disclosed that the necessary equipment for the sessions had been procured and training conducted for staff and lawyers from Member States who have filed cases before the Court.
He added that there had been moot court sessions to simulate a normal session working with the new tools.
Asante noted that the virtual will also contribute to improving access to the Court, particularly for indigent citizens, who could otherwise not afford the travel and accommodation costs associated with filing cases before the Court.
“We are confident that the deployment of virtual technology for court sessions will be helpful.
“It will reduce the financial burden associated with cases and facilitate access to the Court, which had been exploring options for improving access including the creation of Sub Registries in Member States and a fund to assist indigent citizens,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court would be delivering judgment in 10 cases in which judgments were previously scheduled to be delivered in March, but were delayed due to suspension of sessions occasioned by the pandemic.
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