ECOWAS Court awards $50,000 to ex-commissioner Darma

The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled in favor of Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, the former Commissioner for Internal Services of the ECOWAS Commission, awarding him $50,000 in general damages for his unlawful removal before the end of his tenure. The court ordered the payment of his outstanding salaries, allowances, and accrued financial entitlements from the date of his unlawful termination until the expiration of his tenure on August 31, 2026.

The judgment was delivered on October 7, 2026, following 11 months of legal proceedings against the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Council of Ministers. Although the court recognized the procedural unlawfulness of his removal, it did not order his reinstatement due to the expiration of his four-year term, which began on July 16, 2022.

Darma emphasized that the ruling was a victory for institutional accountability and due process within ECOWAS, highlighting concerns he raised regarding management practices within the organization.