Five magistrates took the oath of office on 6 October 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, to join the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Among them is Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin. They begin a four-year, non-renewable term.
The new bench: five judges, five nationalities
The incoming judges are Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne M. Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria, Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo, and Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin. Their appointment was decided at the 69th ordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on 19 July 2026 in Sierra Leone.
Mandate: upholding community law
The ECOWAS Court of Justice ensures the interpretation and application of community texts. It can hear disputes concerning member states’ compliance with their obligations and complaints alleging human rights violations within its jurisdiction. In this way, it helps enforce regional law and provides judicial recourse in matters falling under its mandate.
Oath of independence and impartiality
During the swearing-in ceremony, the magistrates committed to performing their duties with independence, impartiality and integrity. They pledged to carry out their mission “with complete impartiality” and to preserve the confidentiality of deliberations.
These commitments underscore the independence required of judges: their decisions must be guided by law, free from political pressure or special interests. At the ceremony, the current ECOWAS chair, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urged them to safeguard the court’s credibility and public trust.
What the renewal means for West African justice
The arrival of this new team marks a step in the court’s renewal. For litigants and member states, the challenge will be to see the institution continue to deliver impartial rulings and uphold the legal commitments undertaken within the West African community.