The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sworn in five new judges of its Community Court of Justice as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, charged them to strengthen public trust through impartial and credible justice.
The five judges are Mr Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin; Hon. Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia; Mrs Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia; Mrs Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria; and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
Faye, who administered the oath on Tuesday at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, said the judges assumed office at a critical period when the region was facing political, economic, security and environmental challenges that required a firm commitment to the rule of law and collective action.
He said the Court had a central responsibility to ensure fairness in the application of ECOWAS legal instruments, protect citizens’ rights and strengthen confidence in regional institutions.
“Through its decisions, it protects rights, serves as a reminder of everyone’s obligations, and strengthens trust in our institutions,” Faye said.
The ECOWAS chairman urged the new judges to allow the oath they had taken to guide their conduct throughout their four-year tenure, particularly when deciding cases before them.
He charged them to deliver justice fairly, examine cases according to their conscience and exercise their responsibilities impartially without yielding to pressure from any source.
“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,” he said.
Faye said the credibility of the Court would continue to depend on the quality of its decisions and the level of trust they generated among citizens.
He urged the judges to consolidate the Court’s achievements while contributing to efforts to modernise its operations and make community justice more effective, accessible and better accepted by the public.
The new judges were appointed for a four-year, non-renewable term by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026.
Their appointment was made pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act SA.1/12/25 relating to the Community Court of Justice.
Under Article 3 of the Act, the Court is to comprise five independent judges selected from among nationals of member states who are persons of high moral character and possess the qualifications required for appointment to the Supreme Court or an equivalent judicial office.
The provision also requires candidates to have recognised competence in international law, particularly community or regional integration law, and at least 20 years of professional experience.
Under Article 5, each judge is required to take an oath of office or make a solemn declaration before the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government before assuming office.
The five judges succeeded Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde; Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone; Hon. Justice Dupe Atoki of Nigeria; Hon. Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire; and Hon. Justice Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana, whose four-year tenures had expired.
Faye commended the outgoing judges for their service and contributions to the development of community law and regional integration.
“Through their stewardship and commitment, they have brought community law to life and contributed to building an ECOWAS that is mindful of the principles of justice, respectful of individual rights, and resolutely oriented toward integration,” he said.
Earlier, ECOWAS Commission President, General Birame Diop, described the swearing-in as more than a ceremonial exercise, saying it represented a commitment by the new judges to the citizens of the community and to a common legal order.
Diop said the oath required the judges to put aside personal interests and external influences and serve community law with honour, loyalty, impartiality and conscience.
“The oath marks the moment when the individual sets aside their personal interests and all external influences to serve only community law,” he said.
He said the oath also demonstrated that member states, at the highest level, recognised the authority of the Court and were committed to respecting its independence.
According to him, the Community Court had become one of the most visible and accessible institutions of ECOWAS, particularly because individuals could approach it to seek redress for violations of their rights.
“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,” Diop said.
He said the Court’s jurisprudence, particularly on human rights, was cited beyond West Africa and constituted a source of pride for the region.
Diop stressed the need for stronger cooperation among the ECOWAS Commission, Judicial Council, Court, Parliament and member states, saying judicial independence and institutional dialogue should reinforce each other.
He disclosed that work was underway on the possible creation of an Appellate Chamber for the Court, with a committee comprising representatives of community institutions established to examine the proposal.
According to him, recommendations from a recent international conference in Dakar would also contribute to the deliberations, while the Commission was prepared to play its full part in the process.
Diop urged member states to sustain cooperation with the Court to ensure effective implementation of its decisions and consolidate the rule of law across the community.
Upon assumption of duty, the five new judges are expected to elect a President and Vice-President from among themselves for a two-year term.