The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has elected Liberian Judge, Charlyne Brumskine as its new President and Benin’s Justice Désiré Henri Aihou as Vice President, following the swearing-in of five new judges in Abuja.
A statement by the Head of Public Information and External Relations, Elohor Ovadje, said the election took place during a session of the Court’s newly constituted College of Judges.
The new leadership succeeds the outgoing College of Judges and is expected to oversee the Court’s judicial and institutional affairs as it implements its Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030.
The strategic plan focuses on strengthening access to justice, improving judicial efficiency, enhancing institutional effectiveness, increasing the Court’s visibility and boosting public confidence in regional justice.
The other newly appointed judges are Justice Awa Bah of The Gambia, Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.
The five judges were sworn in at the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja at a ceremony presided over by Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Faye.
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In her inaugural address, Justice Brumskine described her election as an opportunity to serve the Court, the ECOWAS Community and the people of West Africa.
She expressed gratitude to her colleagues for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to discharge her responsibilities with commitment, humility and a strong sense of duty.
Brumskine said the formal handover from the outgoing to the incoming College of Judges represented continuity, renewal and collective responsibility in the administration of regional justice.
As President, she will provide overall judicial leadership and represent the Court in institutional and external engagements, while Justice Aihou will support her in carrying out the responsibilities of the office and perform other duties in line with the Court’s governing framework.
The outgoing President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, said the handover marked the conclusion of the tenure of the five outgoing judges and the transfer of responsibilities to their successors.
He described the transition as an important demonstration of institutional continuity beyond the tenure of individual judges.
The outgoing judges are Justice 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.
In his vote of thanks, Justice Aihou commended the outgoing judges for their service to the Court and the ECOWAS Community.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the management, Acting Chief Registrar, directors and staff to the successful organisation of the handover ceremony.
The new President and Vice President pledged to uphold judicial independence, impartiality, integrity and accountability while working with other members of the Court to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and credibility of regional justice.
