ECOWAS Court, Sierra Leone’s Justice Ministry Hold Capacity Building For State Attorneys

The ECOWAS Court of Justice, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice of Sierra Leone, has commenced a high-level capacity-building training program for state attorneys in Freetown.
The initiative is aimed at capacity building on the ECOWAS Court rules, practices, and procedures for state attorneys at the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice strengthening legal knowledge and deepening understanding of ECOWAS community laws and regional judicial practices.
Held at the Law School on July 28th, 2025, the training brought together legal professionals from across Sierra Leone’s Law Officers Department to build their competence in handling cases involving regional legal frameworks, particularly those concerning human rights.
Delivering the keynote address, Justice Sengu M. Koroma, Vice President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, described the initiative as a clear demonstration of Sierra Leone’s commitment to its obligations under the revised ECOWAS Treaty. He noted that such training sessions are essential in bridging gaps in the knowledge of community law among national legal practitioners.
“When I received information about this capacity-building initiative, I saw it as a significant step towards deepening Sierra Leone’s relationship with the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice,” Justice Koroma stated. “This training will enhance the professional capacity of our lawyers and improve their readiness to engage with the Court on complex transnational matters,” he said.
Justice Koroma emphasized that Sierra Leone has consistently engaged with the ECOWAS Court on various issues over the years, including human rights claims, and lauded the government’s request for technical assistance as a forward-thinking move. He reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to educating member states on the interpretation and application of community laws.
“This is an opportunity for state attorneys to deepen their knowledge and improve their representation on regional litigation. I encourage participants to take this training seriously, as it will be rich in legal knowledge and best practices,” he added.
Speaking on the evolving role of the ECOWAS Court, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr. Osman Kanu, Esq. explained that the Court’s jurisdiction has significantly expanded over time. Originally established to arbitrate disputes between member states, the Court now receives a growing number of human rights cases filed by individuals and non-state actors against governments.
“Most of the cases currently before the ECOWAS Court relate to human rights violations,” DPP Kanu disclosed. “This training is critical for equipping our state attorneys with the tools to defend the interests of the state while ensuring respect for human rights standards. It will also serve as a reminder for government actors to uphold human rights at all levels,” he noted.
In his address, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay Esq., expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Court for accepting the invitation to train Sierra Leone’s legal professionals.
“This initiative is timely and important. As a government, we remain committed to upholding and protecting human rights. We are proud to collaborate with the ECOWAS Court to build the capacity of our legal officers to better understand community law,” Minister Sesay said.
He urged participants to see the law not only within the confines of the courtroom but also as a tool for justice, governance, and policy reform. “Decisions from the ECOWAS Court, whether in your favor or not, provide vital jurisprudence that should guide your future legal arguments and policy advice,” he noted.
Minister Sesay further emphasized that investing in the capacity of state attorneys is key to ensuring quality legal representation for the state and making the legal profession more attractive for young professionals.
The training featured a series of expert-led presentations on the legal architecture of the ECOWAS Court, human rights mechanisms, and case law analysis. Participants also engaged in practical sessions designed to simulate litigation before regional courts.
This training comes at a time when regional judicial institutions like the ECOWAS Court are increasingly shaping legal outcomes across West Africa, especially in cases involving cross-border human rights issues, electoral disputes, and rule-of-law concerns. Sierra Leone’s proactive participation in such engagements reflects its growing role in regional integration and legal cooperation.
The program is expected to last for four days and marks the beginning of a series of collaborative efforts between Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Justice and ECOWAS judicial institutions.