The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on 19 June 2025 received a delegation of law students from the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Plateau State, on a study visit to the Seat of the Court in Abuja, Nigeria.

The visit formed part of an educational exchange programme designed to blend academic learning with practical exposure to the workings of an international court and enhance their understanding of the regional legal system.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Aboubakar Diakite, Registrar, Judicial Process and Case Management, provided an overview of the mandate of the Court. He described the visit as an embodiment of knowledge sharing, capacity building and institutional collaboration.

Ms. Deborah Ali, final year student and Advocate General of the Law Students’ Society who led the delegation of 60 students to the Court said the programme was aimed at exposing the students to law in practice beyond the classroom experience. Ms. Ali, who also participated in the recently concluded Moot Court Competition of the Court, where the University of Jos emerged as Runner-Up, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the Court. “This visit offers a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge of the jurisdiction and operations of the Court as well as mentorship, networking, and a better understanding of international legal careers,” she added.

Various presentations were made during the visit. Mr. Oludayo Fagbemi, Senior Research Officer of the Court spoke on the Mandate and Jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Mrs. Hajara Onoja from the Registry Department provided an overview of the Departments and Divisions of the Court, explaining how the Registry, Research, and Administration and Finance Departments collaborate to support the Court’s judicial and administrative functions. The last presentation made by Mrs. Zara Carew-Sabo, Assistant Registrar at the Court, focused on Access to the Court, Practice and Procedure, and emphasized the centrality of access to justice to the Court’s operations.

The session provided an opportunity for productive engagement between the students and staff of the Court and reaffirmed the Court’s openness to collaboration with academic institutions.

Opportunities for student internships, virtual observation of proceedings, and future educational visits were also highlighted.

Mr Gabriel Ogwuche Ekoja, a lecturer from the University of Jos who accompanied the students, commended the Court for its commitment to legal education and regional integration.