ECOWAS Court Gets New President

Justice Ricardo Gonçalves from Cape Verde has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice (CCJ) as its new President.

Also, Justice Sengu Koroma from Sierra Leone has been elected as the new Vice President, with both officials serving a non-renewable term of four years.

Their election was conducted by the court’s panel of five judges and was followed by an inauguration ceremony led by President Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, who previously served as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Justice Gonçalves takes over from Justice Edward Asante, who held the presidency for six years, while Justice Koroma replaces Gberi-bè Ouattara from Ivory Coast in the Vice Presidency.

It is worth noting that Justice Asante has been nominated for a position on Ghana’s Supreme Court, although he will continue to serve as a judge of the CCJ until the conclusion of his extended term in 2026.

Reports indicate that during Asante’s tenure, the CCJ experienced significant advancements and transformations in its legal framework, case management, and physical facilities.

He facilitated the relocation of the Court from its previous congested premises to a new complex in Gudu District, Abuja, in 2023.

Asante also introduced innovative changes to the CCJ’s operations, including the implementation of an electronic case management system and subsequent amendments to the Court’s practice directions.

These innovations have allowed for efficient virtual and in-person court sessions, improving accessibility for applicants from ECOWAS member states and reducing their financial burdens, as applications can now be submitted, cases heard, and judgments rendered online.

Additionally, he successfully filled numerous vacancies within the Court’s structure by recruiting experienced legal professionals for the Registry and Research Departments.