ECOWAS Court Awards Ex-Commissioner $50,000 Over Unlawful Removal

Former Commissioner for Internal Services of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, has described a court ruling declaring his removal from office unlawful as a victory for institutional accountability, the rule of law and due process.

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice delivered its judgment on October 7, ruling that the process leading to Darma’s removal and replacement before the end of his tenure did not comply with the legal procedures governing the office.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Darma said the decision went beyond his personal circumstances and reaffirmed the need for regional institutions to respect established rules and protect statutory appointments from arbitrary interference.

“This judgment is not a personal victory. It is a victory for the rule of law, institutional integrity, accountability, and due process within ECOWAS,” he said.

The court awarded Darma $50,000 in general damages for the non-financial harm arising from the procedural irregularities and premature termination of his tenure. It also ordered the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other accrued entitlements from the date his tenure was unlawfully terminated until its expiration, less any sums already received. The ECOWAS Commission was further ordered to bear the costs of the proceedings.

However, the court did not order his reinstatement because his four-year tenure, which began in July 2022, expired on August 31, 2026.

The dispute followed a memorandum issued on October 30, 2025, by the then President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray. The memorandum reportedly withdrew delegated authority previously exercised by Darma, raised concerns about his conduct and performance, and formed part of the process that led to his replacement.

Darma said the court rejected the argument that the memorandum was merely an administrative measure. According to his account of the judgment, the court found that the actions significantly affected his responsibilities and were taken without prior notice or an effective opportunity for him to respond to the allegations.

The case also examined Nigeria’s decision to recall Darma and nominate a successor. Darma said the court distinguished between a member state’s power to nominate a commissioner and the legal status of an appointment after it has been made, ruling that Nigeria’s recall did not, by itself, terminate his appointment or create a vacancy.

The former commissioner said the judgment reinforced the principle that statutory officials within ECOWAS can only be removed in accordance with the applicable legal framework and on recognised grounds.

Darma’s dispute with the regional organisation also involved concerns he said he had raised about administrative procedures, recruitment assessments and the assignment of certain departmental responsibilities. He maintained that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect institutional integrity.

He called on ECOWAS institutions to comply fully with the judgment and review relevant rules and protocols to prevent similar disputes in the future.

The ruling has brought renewed attention to the limits of administrative authority, the protection of senior appointments and the importance of due process within regional institutions. For Darma, its significance lies in ensuring that established laws and procedures remain binding on those who lead such organisations.