ECOWAS urges new judges to resist pressure, uphold rule of law

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged newly sworn-in judges of its Community Court of Justice to uphold the rule of law and deliver justice impartially, without yielding to pressure.

Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, gave the charge during the judges’ swearing-in ceremony in Abuja.

Faye said their oath represented a commitment to serve the law with loyalty, honour and a clear conscience at a time when the region faced political, economic, security and environmental challenges.

“Our ceremony is taking place in a context where the region is facing unprecedented political, economic, security and environmental challenges that test our capacity for collective action.

“This calls for a shared commitment, firmly rooted in the rule of common law,” he said.

He said the court had a responsibility to protect rights, ensure fairness and strengthen public confidence in the community’s institutions.

“Through its decisions, it protects rights, serves as a reminder of everyone’s obligations and strengthens trust in our institutions,” Faye said.

He urged the judges to allow their oath to guide every decision throughout their tenure.

“It enjoins you to deliver justice to all with fairness, to examine every case according to your soul and conscience and to exercise your responsibilities with impartiality, without giving in to pressure, whatever its origin.

“That is why I urge you, throughout the duration of your mandate, to constantly keep in mind, especially at the moment of decision-making, the foundation of your oath,” he said.

Faye said the court’s reputation depended on the quality of its decisions and the trust they inspired, calling for improvements that would make community justice more effective and accessible.

He also commended staff of the court, the ECOWAS Parliament and the Commission for their commitment to the community, urging them to pursue their duties with determination and integrity.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, said the swearing-in was more than a ceremonial formality, as the judges’ commitment extended to every citizen of the community.

“The oath marks the moment when the individual sets aside their personal interests and all external influences to serve only community law,” he said.

Diop said the ceremony also affirmed member states’ recognition of the court’s authority and their obligation to respect its independence.

“Through this ceremony, the Authority entrusts the judges with the mandate to declare the law. In return, the judges bind themselves to render justice without fear and in an impartial manner. It is a pact of mutual trust upon which rests the credibility of our legal order and of our entire integration project,” he said.

The judges are Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin Republic, Awa Bah of The Gambia, Charlyne Brumskine of Liberia, Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu of Nigeria and Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo.