Chidinma Iroegbu
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the payment of former Commissioner for Internal Services, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma’s outstanding entitlements and awarded him $50,000 in general damages over the unlawful termination of his tenure.
The judgment, delivered on October 7, 2026, followed Darma’s challenge to the withdrawal of his responsibilities, his recall by Nigeria and the appointment of his replacement before the end of his tenure.
The Court held that the process leading to his removal did not comply with ECOWAS rules, while also finding that Nigeria’s recall did not, by itself, terminate his appointment or create a vacancy in the office.
Darma told journalists in Abuja that the case centres on protecting the rules governing statutory appointments and preventing arbitrary actions within the regional body.
The Court ordered ECOWAS to pay his outstanding salaries, allowances and other accrued financial entitlements from the date of the unlawful termination until the end of his tenure, less any amounts already paid.
It also awarded $50,000 in general damages for the non-pecuniary harm arising from the procedural unlawfulness and premature termination of his tenure, while ordering that the costs of the case be assessed and paid by the ECOWAS Commission.
Darma’s four-year tenure, which began on July 16, 2022, ended on August 31, 2026, leaving no basis for reinstatement despite the Court’s findings on his removal.
The dispute began after an October 30, 2025 memorandum by the then President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, withdrew responsibilities exercised by Darma and initiated steps towards his replacement. Darma subsequently filed his case on November 3, 2025.
His complaints included the involvement of non-management officials in management meetings, inconsistencies in the assessment of candidates for senior positions and the transfer of a Commissioner’s responsibilities to a non-statutory official. He maintained that his actions were aimed at protecting institutional procedures and financial discipline.
“This judgment is not a personal victory. It is a victory for the rule of law, institutional integrity, accountability and due process within ECOWAS,” Darma said, calling on ECOWAS institutions to comply with the judgment and review its rules and procedures to prevent similar disputes.