The newly appointed judges of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice have pledged to uphold judicial independence and integrity, reduce delays in adjudication and strengthen compliance with the Court’s judgments, as the institution seeks to restore public confidence in regional justice delivery.
The commitment was made as the judges began a five-day orientation programme on Monday, amid growing calls for timely justice, impartial adjudication and effective enforcement of judicial decisions across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The President of the Court, Justice Charlyne Brumskine, outlined the priorities of the new judicial college, stressing that the credibility of the regional court depended on fairness, impartiality and integrity in the handling of every case.
In her opening address, Brumskine urged the judges to make judicial excellence, collegiality and effective adjudication the defining principles of their tenure. She emphasised that their responsibilities extended beyond resolving disputes to strengthening public confidence in the Court as a regional judicial institution.
She identified judicial independence and integrity, collegiality, and effectiveness as the three key priorities that must guide the new judicial college. She also stressed the importance of rigorous deliberations, mutual respect and consistency in judicial decisions.
The Court President further highlighted the need to address delays in the administration of justice, emphasising timely adjudication and alignment with the Court’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.
Brumskine also expressed concern over compliance with the Court’s judgments, calling for sustained engagement with ECOWAS member states to improve the implementation of its decisions.
The focus on compliance places relations between the Court and member states at the centre of efforts to strengthen regional justice delivery. The effectiveness of a court, she noted, depends not only on the judgments it delivers but also on whether those decisions are implemented.
Congratulating the judges on assuming office on October 13, Brumskine said service at the regional court required a thorough understanding of the ECOWAS legal order, the Court’s jurisdiction and procedures, as well as its jurisprudence developed over more than two decades.
The five-day orientation programme, themed “Becoming an ECOWAS Judge: Judicial Excellence, Institutional Integration and Effective Adjudication,” is designed to prepare the judges for their judicial responsibilities and familiarise them with the institution’s operational framework.
In his welcome address, the Acting Chief Registrar, Dr. Ousmane Diallo, said the programme was designed to facilitate the smooth integration of the judges and their executive assistants into the Court’s institutional and administrative systems.
Diallo explained that participants would be introduced to the Court’s organisational structure, departmental responsibilities, administrative procedures and coordination mechanisms. They would also gain a clearer understanding of the roles played by judicial, legal, administrative and other support services.
He added that the programme would strengthen communication and collaboration among judges, executive assistants, heads of departments and other staff, with the aim of improving institutional continuity and operational efficiency.
The expected outcomes include a better understanding of the Court’s support systems, stronger professional relationships and improved staff preparedness to support the new judicial college in carrying out its responsibilities.
Other judges participating in the orientation are Justice Désire Henri Aihou, Vice-President of the Court; Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu; Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama; and Justice Awa Bah.
Brumskine acknowledged the contributions of Diallo, the programme facilitator and former Vice-President of the Court, Professor Friday C. Nwoke, and the Court’s staff to the organisation of the orientation.
The programme marks the beginning of the new judges’ integration into the Court’s institutional framework, with judicial independence, integrity, timely adjudication and compliance with judgments identified as central priorities for strengthening justice delivery across the West African regional community.