The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States has sworn in five new judges for a four-year non-renewable tenure.

The new judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.

They were sworn in on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal, Bassirou Faye.

The judges were appointed by the ECOWAS Authority at its 69th Ordinary Session held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026, pursuant to the December 2025 Supplementary Act relating to the Community Court of Justice.

Under the Act, the court is composed of five independent judges selected from among nationals of ECOWAS member states who possess the qualifications required for appointment to the Supreme Court or an equivalent court, or are seasoned legal advisers with recognised competence in international law, particularly community or regional integration law.

The law also requires candidates to have at least 20 years of professional experience.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Faye urged the new judges to discharge their responsibilities with impartiality, integrity and a commitment to protecting the rights of citizens across the region.

“I believe that their commitment is to serve the community in a royal, honourable and impartial way, but also in all conscience,” he said.

Faye said the ceremony was taking place at a time when the region was facing political, economic, security and environmental challenges, stressing the need for stronger commitment to human rights.

He said the Community Court had a central role in ensuring respect for the rights of citizens and strengthening confidence in ECOWAS institutions.

“By making decisions, it protects the rights, reminds everyone’s obligations and strengthens confidence in our institutions,” the ECOWAS chairman said.

He urged the new judges to allow the oath they had taken to guide their decisions, adding that they must administer justice equitably and exercise their responsibilities without pressure.

Faye also charged the judges to help strengthen the court and ensure that community justice became more effective and accessible to the people.

“The court’s reputation is built on the quality of its decisions and on the confidence that it instils,” he said.

The new judges succeed Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves of Cape Verde, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma of Sierra Leone, Justice Dupe Atoki of Nigeria, Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Justice Edward Amoako Asante of Ghana, whose four-year tenure has ended.

Under Article 5 of the Supplementary Act, judges of the Community Court are required to take an oath of office or make a solemn declaration before the Chairman of the Authority before assuming their duties.

The five new judges are expected to elect a president and vice-president from among themselves for two-year terms after assuming office. (PUNCH)

PHOTO: L-R: Justices Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Awa Bah, Désiré Henri Aihou, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye - Chairman of Authority, H.E. General Birame Diop - President of ECOWAS Commission, Justices Charlyne Brumskine, and Henrietta Didigu...Photo Credit: ECOWAS Court

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