ECOWAS court inducts five judges in Abuja as Aihou of Benin joins the bench
Five magistrates were sworn in 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: profiles and mandate
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.
What the court does
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 uphold regional law and provides judicial recourse in matters falling under its mandate.
Oath of independence and impartiality
During the swearing-in, the magistrates pledged to carry out their duties with independence, impartiality, and integrity. They promised to fulfill 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 private interests. At the ceremony, the current ECOWAS chairman, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urged them to safeguard the court’s credibility and public trust.
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 keep alive the legal commitments made within the West African community.
