Nigeria, Sept. 24 -- The ECOWAS Court of Justice has become one of the crown jewels of the regional body's integration process, fielding petitions from plebeians and gentry alike, as former slaves and former presidents go there to seek judicial redress.

In the last 20 years, it has managed to overturn a centuries-old tradition of slavery or 'wahiya' in Niger, struck a decisive blow for press freedom in Gambia, awarded 10 million francs as compensation to a retired school teacher for human rights violation in Benin, and ruled against a sitting president for banning Twitter in Nigeria.

Beyond these highlights, the Court has, during its first 20 years, held 1224 sessions, handed down 303 judgments and 131 rulings from 583 cases lodged befo...