The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has sworn in five new judges who will serve a four-year term as part of efforts to strengthen the regional judicial system.

The judges, representing Benin, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo, were sworn into office on Tuesday in Abuja.

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

The oath was administered by Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Faye urged the newly sworn-in judges to uphold independence, impartiality and integrity in the discharge of their duties, stressing that their decisions would play an important role in shaping public confidence in the court.

He also called on them to contribute to the modernisation of the court and ensure that justice remains accessible and effective across the West African region.

The president said the judges must remain committed to justice despite the political, economic and security challenges confronting the region.

The five new judges replaced outgoing members of the court whose four-year tenure had expired.

They are expected to elect a president and vice-president from among themselves, with each office having a two-year tenure.

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is the judicial arm of the regional bloc and handles matters arising from the interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments.