The ECOWAS Judicial Council, comprising the Chief Justices of Member States, has approved the recommendations of its ad hoc committee on the recruitment of seven new judges to replace those whose terms have expired at the Community Court of Justice.
The ad hoc committee, headed by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Justice Mamadou Kone, submitted the recommendation which was endorsed by the Council during its meeting in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 19th March 2014.
The Council is charged among other duties with the recruitment and discipline of the seven judges of the Court which has primary responsibility for the interpretation of the Instruments of the Community and adjudication over cases of violation of human rights of community citizens irrespective of whether or not the complainant has exhausted national remedies.
The incoming judges, who were recommended following an interview conducted by the eight-member ad hoc committee from 350 candidates who applied for the positions, are from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal.
They will replace those from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.
The recommendations of the Judicial Council will be presented to the Council of Ministers at their 13th extraordinary meeting scheduled for Yamoussoukro on 26th March 2014.
Speaking during the meeting of the Judicial Council, ECOWAS Vice president, Dr. Toga McIntosh assured that the Commission would henceforth ensure the regularity of Council’s meetings to enable it effectively discharge its mandate in the regional integration process. He underscored the important role of the Council to the effective functioning of the 14-year-old Community court. The Council held its last meeting seven years ago.
The vice president used the occasion to update the Council members on the activities of the Community particularly in the areas of economic development, agriculture, infrastructure, monetary cooperation and the 2020 Vision for a citizen-driven community.
The Council also elected its Bureau comprising Cote d’Ivoire as President, with Cape Verde and Ghana as Vice President and Rapporteur respectively.
In separate speeches during the meeting, the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Justice Kone and the Chief Justice of Republic of Benin, Justice Ousmane Batoko, paid tributes to ECOWAS for its strides in integrating the economies of Member States, and increasing the performance and profile of the Community Court through the expansion of its mandate.
They also praised members of the ad hoc committee for the high sense of responsibility and professionalism they demonstrated through the shortlisting and interview processes.
The President of the Community Court, Justice Awa Daboya Nana made a presentation detailing the role, achievements and challenges confronting the court.
