ECOWAS Court: New Judges Sworn In For 4-Year Term

• Five new judges were recently sworn into the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States for a four-year, non-renewable tenure.
• The new judicial appointments, made by the ECOWAS Authority at its 69th Ordinary Session on July 19, 2026, were pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act.
• The swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday in Abuja, officiated by Bassirou Faye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
• Chairman Faye urged the new judges to uphold impartiality, integrity, and human rights, emphasizing the court's central role amidst regional challenges.
• The newly sworn-in judges are expected to elect a president and vice-president from among themselves for two-year terms after assuming office.

The Chairman underscored the pivotal role of the Community Court in upholding citizens' rights and bolstering trust in ECOWAS institutions, particularly as the region navigates complex political, economic, security, and environmental challenges.

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently saw five new judges sworn in, marking a significant transition in the regional judicial body. These new judicial appointments are for a four-year, non-renewable tenure, bringing fresh perspectives to the court's operations. The ceremony, where the ECOWAS Court new judges sworn in, took place on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria.

The newly appointed judges include Désiré Henri Aihou from Benin, Justice Awa Bah representing The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu from Nigeria, and Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo. The solemn occasion was presided over by Bassirou Faye, who serves as both the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the President of Senegal. This event underscores the ongoing commitment to judicial continuity and regional integration within West Africa.

The selection of these judges was formally conducted by the ECOWAS Authority during its 69th Ordinary Session, which convened in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026. These ECOWAS Authority judicial appointments were made in accordance with the provisions of the December 2025 Supplementary Act pertaining to the Community Court of Justice, which dictates the court's structure and the qualifications for its members.

Under this Supplementary Act, the Community Court of Justice new judges must be independent and selected from among nationals of ECOWAS member states. Prospective judges are required to possess qualifications equivalent to those for appointment to a Supreme Court or similar high court. Alternatively, candidates may be seasoned legal advisers with demonstrated expertise in international law, particularly in community or regional integration law. Furthermore, the Act stipulates that all candidates must have a minimum of 20 years of professional experience in the legal field.

During the ECOWAS judges swearing-in Abuja ceremony, Chairman Bassirou Faye delivered a compelling address, urging the new jurists to fulfill their duties with unwavering impartiality, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens across the West African region. He emphasized that their dedication should be to serve the community honorably, impartially, and conscientiously, reflecting a royal commitment to justice.

Faye highlighted that the swearing-in occurred at a critical juncture, with the region grappling with multifaceted political, economic, security, and environmental challenges. He stressed the imperative for a stronger commitment to human rights during these turbulent times. The Chairman underscored the pivotal role of the Community Court in upholding citizens' rights and bolstering trust in ECOWAS institutions, particularly as the region navigates complex political, economic, security, and environmental challenges. He articulated that the court's decisions are instrumental in protecting rights, reminding all parties of their obligations, and reinforcing confidence in the regional institutional framework. Faye further exhorted the judges to allow their oath to guide their rulings, ensuring equitable justice and exercising their responsibilities free from external pressure. He also tasked them with strengthening the court's capacity to make community justice more effective and accessible to the populace, asserting that the court's reputation is intrinsically linked to the quality of its decisions and the confidence it inspires.

The arrival of the new judges signifies the conclusion of the four-year tenure for five previous members of the bench. These outgoing judges include Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, Justice Dupe Atoki from Nigeria, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, and Justice Edward Amoako Asante from Ghana.

In line with Article 5 of the Supplementary Act, all judges of the Community Court are mandated to take an oath of office or make a solemn declaration before the Chairman of the Authority prior to commencing their official duties. Following their assumption of office, the five newly sworn-in judges are expected to undertake the internal process of electing a president and a vice-president from among themselves, who will each serve two-year terms, further shaping the court's leadership and direction.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising on regional integration law or involved in cases before the ECOWAS Court should note the new judicial appointments. Changes in the court's composition can influence its jurisprudence, interpretation of ECOWAS treaties, and potentially impact litigation strategies or the direction of human rights and trade-related rulings within the West African region.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers