The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has sworn in five new judges for a four-year, non-renewable term, with ECOWAS Authority Chairman and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye urging them to uphold independence, impartiality and integrity.
The judges, who took their oaths on October 6, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria, are Justice Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin, Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Justice Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
President Faye, who presided over the ceremony, stressed that the credibility of the regional court would depend largely on the quality of its judgments and the confidence they inspire.
He urged the new judges to remain faithful to their oath throughout their tenure as they assume responsibility for interpreting and enforcing the community’s legal framework.
The ceremony brought together the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, President of the ECOWAS Parliament Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Cheikh Niang, the President and Judges of the ECOWAS Court, members of the Judicial Council, representatives of member states and other dignitaries.
The swearing-in marks a renewed push to strengthen regional justice, uphold the rule of law and protect fundamental rights across the ECOWAS community.
The Court plays a central role in consolidating the ECOWAS legal order and promoting access to regional justice, with its effectiveness considered important to public confidence, peace, stability and deeper regional integration.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
