By Ebi Kesiena
President of Senegal and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has charged five newly appointed judges of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to uphold the rule of law, impartiality and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Faye gave the charge in Abuja while administering the oath of office to the judges at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of their four-year, non-renewable tenure.
According to him, the swearing-in was significant as it represented the judges’ commitment to serving the West African community, administering justice fairly and acting in accordance with their conscience.
He noted that the region was facing serious political, economic, security and environmental challenges, making adherence to the rule of law essential to regional integration and collective action.
Faye said the ECOWAS Court had a critical role in ensuring respect for the treaties and legal instruments of the regional bloc, while protecting the rights of citizens and strengthening confidence in ECOWAS institutions.
He urged the judges to allow the oath they had taken to guide their decisions throughout their tenure and to discharge their responsibilities without fear, favour or external pressure.
“The oath you have just taken must guide each of your decisions. It enjoins you to render justice to all with equity, to examine each case in your soul and conscience, and to exercise your responsibilities with impartiality, without yielding to pressure, whatever its origin,” he said.
The ECOWAS chairman also tasked the judges with contributing to the modernisation of the Court and making regional justice more effective, accessible and responsive to citizens.
The five 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 appointed at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19, 2026.
Faye commended the outgoing judges for their service and contributions to the development of community law, human rights and regional integration.
He said the credibility of the Court would depend largely on the quality of its judgments and the confidence they inspire among citizens and institutions.
