By Danjuma Amodu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday swore in five new judges of its Community Court of Justice, with the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, charging them to strengthen public confidence in regional justice.
Faye, who administered the oath of office at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, urged the judges to discharge their responsibilities without fear, favour or external influence as the region grapples with political, economic, security and environmental challenges.
The new judges are Désiré Henri Aihou (Benin); Justice Awa Bah (The Gambia); Charlyne Brumskine (Liberia); Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu (Nigeria); and Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama (Togo).
Faye said the Court has a crucial role in protecting citizens’ rights, ensuring fairness in the application of community laws and restoring confidence in regional institutions at a time when the region requires stronger commitment to the rule of law.
“Through its decisions, it protects rights, serves as a reminder of everyone’s obligations, and strengthens trust in our institutions,” he said.
He urged the judges to allow the oath to guide them throughout their four-year, non-renewable tenure, particularly when determining cases before the Court.
“That is why I urge you, throughout the duration of your mandate, to constantly keep in mind — especially at the moment of decision-making — the foundation of your oath,” Faye said.
He said the credibility of the Court would be measured by the quality of its judgments and the confidence those decisions inspire among citizens, urging the new bench to build on past achievements while modernising operations to make regional justice more effective and accessible.
The judges were appointed at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, following the December 2025 Supplementary Act SA.1/12/25 relating to the Community Court.
Under Article 3 of the Act, the Court comprises five independent judges selected from nationals of member states who possess high moral character, qualifications for appointment to a Supreme Court or equivalent office, recognised competence in international law, particularly community or regional integration law, and at least 20 years of professional experience.
Article 5 requires every judge to take an oath before the Chairman of the Authority before assuming duty.
The new judges succeeded Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (Cape Verde); Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (Sierra Leone); Justice Dupe Atoki (Nigeria); Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire); and Justice Edward Amoako Asante (Ghana), whose tenures expired.
Faye commended the outgoing judges for bringing community law to life and contributing to an ECOWAS mindful of justice and individual rights.
Earlier, ECOWAS Commission President, Gen. Birame Diop (rtd), said the swearing-in was more than formal assumption of office but a commitment to citizens and to a common legal order.
“The oath marks the moment when the individual sets aside personal interests and all external influences to serve only community law,” Diop said.
He described the Community Court as one of ECOWAS’s most visible and accessible institutions because individuals can approach it directly to seek redress for rights violations.
“By opening its doors to individuals, the Community has given concrete meaning to the idea of an ECOWAS of the peoples, and no longer just of States,” he said.
Diop disclosed that work is underway on the possible establishment of an Appellate Chamber for the Court, with a committee of community institutions already constituted and recommendations from a recent international conference in Dakar expected to feed into deliberations.
He urged member states to strengthen cooperation with the Court to ensure effective implementation of its decisions.
The new judges are expected to elect a President and Vice-President from among themselves for two-year terms.
