|
Citation
|
Judgment date
|
| January 2026 |
|
|
The Court found jurisdiction and admitted the applicant's claim of unlawful arrest, torture, detention and malicious prosecution.
Human rights jurisdiction – Article 9(4) Protocol A/Pl/7/91 (as amended) – Allegations of unlawful arrest, torture and degrading treatment – Admissibility – Criminal proceedings do not automatically oust human rights jurisdiction – ECOWAS Community Court case-law.
|
30 January 2026 |
|
Court finds dismissals unlawful for breach of ECOWAS Staff Regulations and awards arrears and compensation.
Public service jurisdiction; ECOWAS Staff Regulations (Articles 67, 69, 73, 92-95); right to fair hearing; procedural due process in disciplinary proceedings; unlawful dismissal; remedies—reinstatement or salary in lieu, arrears, moral damages; costs.
|
30 January 2026 |
| December 2025 |
|
|
Provisional measures denied; Court has jurisdiction under Articles 9(1)(f) and (g); admissible except African Charter claims.
Administrative law — Provisional measures: prima facie case, urgency, irreparable harm; Expedited procedure — exceptional and requires irreparable prejudice; Jurisdiction — Article 9(1)(f) and (g) applicable to disputes between Community and officials and actions for damages; Admissibility — exhaustion of internal remedies inapplicable where remedies unavailable to statutory Commissioners; African Charter claims inadmissible against ECOWAS institutions.
|
10 December 2025 |
| November 2025 |
|
|
Whether a revision is admissible absent newly discovered decisive facts unknown at the time of the judgment.
Revision of judgment – Article 25 Protocol and Articles 92–93 Rules – admissibility requires discovery of new decisive facts unknown to Court and party – three‑month rule – not an appellate route to challenge evidential assessment or merits (MOU dispute) – jurisdiction affirmed but application inadmissible.
|
19 November 2025 |
| July 2025 |
|
|
Court finds State liable for cruel, inhuman treatment and violation of child's physical integrity and health; awards CFA 50,000,000.
Human-rights jurisdiction — admissibility without exhaustion of local remedies; standing of a parent for minor child; distinction between torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; State liability for violations of physical integrity and right to health; reparations and assessment of damages.
|
7 July 2025 |
|
Default judgment denied relief where applicants failed to prove State responsibility for alleged militia abuses.
ECOWAS Court jurisdiction; admissibility of NGOs—legal personality; default judgment procedure; burden of proof in human-rights claims; insufficient evidence of State responsibility for militias; rights considered: physical integrity, security, freedom of movement, assembly.
|
7 July 2025 |
| May 2025 |
|
|
Court found arbitrary detention of named applicants, dismissed plebiscite and self-determination claims, awarded limited compensation.
Human rights jurisdiction – limits on review of historical plebiscites and trusteeships; review of domestic laws only in context of alleged continuing human-rights violations; standing of NGOs requires proof of legal personality; arbitrary detention – failure to bring detainees before court within prescribed time; reparations – modest compensation and conditional release/prosecution.
|
16 May 2025 |
|
Prosecutorial disclosures and procedural delays breached the applicant's presumption of innocence, timely-trial rights and caused arbitrary detention.
Human rights — presumption of innocence — prosecutorial public statements — right to be tried within reasonable time — statutory review deadlines (Art. 294, 300 CCP) — arbitrary detention — reparation and systemic measures — ECOWAS Court jurisdiction.
|
16 May 2025 |
|
The ECOWAS Court lacks jurisdiction to hear contractual claims by a private party against a Member State.
Jurisdiction — ECOWAS Court — limits of Article 9 Supplementary Protocol — no jurisdiction over contractual disputes between Member States and third parties — admissible preliminary objection of lack of jurisdiction — costs awarded to respondent.
|
15 May 2025 |
|
Court dismissed abstract challenge to alleged vagrancy laws for lack of identifiable victims and therefore no jurisdiction.
Jurisdiction – Article 9(4) ECOWAS Court Protocol – requirement of real and identifiable victims – no jurisdiction for abstract review of domestic vagrancy laws absent concrete instances of rights violations.
|
14 May 2025 |
|
Court found jurisdiction but dismissed the claim because applicants failed to prove locus standi or legal personality.
Human rights — jurisdiction under Article 9(4) of the Protocol — admissibility under Article 10(d) — locus standi — direct and indirect victims — proof of relationship — legal personality of an Estate — failure to produce birth certificate or probate/Letters of Administration — dismissal for inadmissibility.
|
13 May 2025 |
|
Applicant failed to prove alleged discrimination under Article 2; Court had jurisdiction but dismissed the claim for lack of evidence.
Human rights — Non-discrimination — Article 2 African Charter — burden of proof — necessity to identify and prove third‑party interactions — jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court — institutions versus Member States — admissibility of human‑rights application.
|
8 May 2025 |
| April 2025 |
|
|
The respondent violated the applicant's right against inhuman treatment and to a timely investigation; damages and investigations ordered.
Human rights jurisdiction – Admissibility – Victim status; Evidence and burden of proof – Medical certificate and contemporaneous press reports; Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 5 African Charter); Right to be tried/rights to a hearing within reasonable time (Article 7 African Charter) – undue delay of 14+ years; State responsibility for acts of law enforcement agents; Remedies – damages, investigation and compliance reporting; Costs ordered against State.
|
9 April 2025 |
|
Applicant failed to prove Cabo Verde denied access to essential medicine; Court found no violation of the right to health.
Human rights — Right to health — Access to essential medicines — State obligations to respect, protect and fulfill health rights — Burden of proof — Jurisdiction and admissibility of individual applications under ECOWAS Court jurisdiction.
|
7 April 2025 |
|
Court found no proven violation of reproductive rights due to insufficient evidence and limited jurisdiction to review domestic abortion laws in abstract.
Jurisdiction and admissibility — preliminary objection procedure — limits on abstract review of domestic laws — right to health and reproductive rights under African Charter and Maputo Protocol — requirement of minimum evidentiary showing for allegations of rape, pregnancy causation and denial of health services — unsuccessful claim for reparations.
|
4 April 2025 |
| March 2025 |
|
|
Respondent liable for arbitrary detention, degrading treatment, media-driven breach of presumption of innocence; investigation and CFA 30,000,000 awarded.
Human rights — Jurisdiction and admissibility of default judgment — Arbitrary arrest and detention — Inhuman and degrading treatment in custody — Presumption of innocence violated by public media exposure — Right to privacy, honour and reputation — Reparations and costs.
|
17 March 2025 |
| February 2025 |
|
|
Representative applicant’s failure to produce mandate rendered EndSARS-related human-rights application inadmissible despite Court’s jurisdiction.
Human rights — Jurisdiction to hear alleged violations of freedom of expression and assembly; Admissibility — victim status and standing; Representative actions — requirement of mandate/authorization for actions on behalf of determinable victims; Failure to produce authorization renders representative application inadmissible.
|
14 February 2025 |
|
Court finds ECOWAS sanctions lawful, rejects damages claim and dismisses application as unfounded.
Community law – jurisdiction under Art.9(1)(g) for damages claims against Community institutions; admissibility and default judgment; sanctions and measures under Art.77(3) Revised Treaty and Democracy and Good Governance Protocol; legality vs arbitrariness of ECOWAS measures; no liability for lawful acts of the Community; limits of Art.9(4) human-rights jurisdiction.
|
14 February 2025 |
|
Court found jurisdiction and admissibility but dismissed claims for lack of evidence linking state agents to violations.
Human rights — Court jurisdiction over alleged violations in Member States; admissibility; limits on adjudicating purely national constitutional claims; state responsibility requires attribution of acts to the State; insufficient evidence dismisses claims for violations of ACHPR Articles 3, 6, 12(1), 14 and 21.
|
13 February 2025 |
|
|
13 February 2025 |
| January 2025 |
|
|
Court found jurisdiction but dismissed application as inadmissible for lack of proper locus standi and mandate.
Human rights jurisdiction — ECOWAS Court jurisdiction over alleged rights violations from domestic law application; admissibility — Article 10(d) Supplementary Protocol; actio popularis; corporate standing for freedom of expression claims; representative actions require mandate; broadcasting regulation v. freedom of expression.
|
27 January 2025 |
| November 2024 |
|
|
Court granted default judgment, found re‑arrest and detention after charge withdrawal arbitrary, awarded US$10,000 in damages.
Human rights — Default judgment — Jurisdiction and admissibility — Lawful detention versus arbitrariness — State responsibility for agents’ acts — Requirement to inform arrested person of reasons — Remedies: compensation awarded for arbitrary re‑arrest and detention.
|
22 November 2024 |
| September 2024 |
|
|
|
25 September 2024 |
| July 2024 |
|
|
Whether a Community institution lawfully summarily dismissed a staff member and suspended salary pending appeal.
ECOWAS Staff Regulations – Article 69 (disciplinary procedure) – requirement of specific notice, disclosure and adequate time to prepare defence – summary dismissal; Article 73(b) – suspension of sanctions pending appeal (includes cessation of salary); jurisdiction of Court over Community staff disputes; remedies: unlawful dismissal entitles to back pay and compensation in lieu of reinstatement; costs determination.
|
10 July 2024 |
|
Court found State breached security, anti‑torture and assembly rights, ordered compensation and a fresh investigation.
Human rights — Protests — Use of force by law enforcement — Security of person; torture and inhuman treatment; freedom of expression, assembly and association — State duty to investigate — Effective remedy — Reparations and costs.
|
10 July 2024 |
|
Court found jurisdiction and admissibility but dismissed gas-flaring human-rights claims for lack of proof; nominal costs awarded.
Environmental human-rights jurisdiction — actio popularis and NGO standing — admissibility and pendency — evidentiary burden to prove causation and actual harm — state measures on gas flaring — dismissal for lack of proof; nominal costs awarded.
|
4 July 2024 |
| June 2024 |
|
|
Retroactive enactment and application of disciplinary offences violated the applicant's right to a fair hearing; limited damages awarded.
Administrative law – Civil aviation – Disciplinary proceedings by national aviation authority – Retroactive application of Ministerial Order defining offences and penalties – Violation of right to fair hearing (Article 7(2) African Charter); claims under Article 3 (equality) and Article 15/ICESCR (right to work) dismissed; reparations: expungement and CFA15,000,000 general damages.
|
6 June 2024 |
|
Failure to prove parentage rendered the human-rights complaint inadmissible for lack of locus standi.
Human rights — Admissibility — Locus standi — Victim status — Indirect victims (family members) — Burden of proof of parentage — Article 10(d) of the Additional Protocol — Jurisdiction under Article 9(4).
|
6 June 2024 |
|
Court had jurisdiction but dismissed the applicants' property claim for lack of locus standi; costs awarded.
Human rights jurisdiction – Article 9(4) Supplementary Protocol – locus standi – right to property under ACHPR – admissibility requirements under Article 10(d) – banking/consumer dispute versus human rights claim – burden of proof of ownership.
|
6 June 2024 |
|
Court competent to interpret its judgments but cannot order national courts to enforce them; interpretation request inadmissible for lack of specificity.
Public international court — Interpretation of judgments — Article 23 competence to construe meaning or scope — Enforcement of ECOWAS Court judgments lies with Member States/national competent authorities — Admissibility of interpretation requests requires specification of operative provisions, words or passages to be clarified — Expedited procedure and default judgment subject to jurisdiction and admissibility checks.
|
6 June 2024 |
|
The Court lacks competence to enforce its own judgments; enforcement follows the writ procedure and lies with national and Community authorities.
Enforcement of Community Court judgments — Competence to enforce judgments — Article 24 Supplementary Protocol (2005) — Writ of execution issued by Chief Registrar — Locus standi and sanctions under Supplementary Act on Sanctions — Prior jurisprudence on enforcement jurisdiction.
|
6 June 2024 |
| May 2024 |
|
|
ECOWAS Court finds Benin liable for unlawful annulment of companys authorizations, breaches of property and reasonable-time rights.
Jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court despite non-ratification; corporate locus standi for property and fair-trial rights; shareholder reflective-loss doctrine; State responsibility for annulment of administrative authorizations; violation of Article 14 (property) and Article 7(1)(d) (reasonable time) of the African Charter; inadmissibility of non-state defendants.
|
29 May 2024 |
| February 2024 |
|
|
State liable for indiscriminate police shooting; violations of security, torture and failure to provide effective remedy.
Human rights — Use of force by law enforcement — Right to security of the person (African Charter Art.6; ICCPR Art.9) — Torture and inhuman treatment (African Charter Art.5; ICCPR Art.7; CAT Art.1) — State obligation to investigate and provide effective remedies — Reparations and preventive measures (training, prosecution, medical costs).
|
28 February 2024 |
| January 2024 |
|
|
Applicant’s employment claims dismissed as statute‑barred; domestic human rights claims cannot be brought against an ECOWAS Institution.
Administrative law – Staff regulations – summary dismissal – fair hearing – statute of limitations under Article 9(3) of the Supplementary Protocol – human rights claims against international/community institutions – only States as proper defendants.
|
30 January 2024 |
| December 2023 |
|
|
Whether the applicant's fair-trial rights were violated by a national conviction in absentia and whether he is the convicted person.
Human rights – Jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court – Victim status and standing – Proof of identity in claims challenging convictions in absentia – Right to be informed of charges and to a fair trial – Compelling witness testimony – Costs.
|
11 December 2023 |
|
Court had jurisdiction but dismissed the application as inadmissible for lack of applicant’s capacity and unclear, convoluted reliefs.
Human rights — Freedom of expression and assembly — Jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court — Admissibility and locus standi — Representative actions/actio popularis by individuals — Conditions for public-interest claims — Victim identification for reparations — Costs.
|
7 December 2023 |
| November 2023 |
|
|
ECOWAS Court held Nigeria's age, accreditation and training requirements in Press Act violate Article 9, ordered legislative amendment.
Freedom of expression — compulsory accreditation, age and education requirements in Press Council Act — online and citizen journalism — Article 9 African Charter — legitimacy and necessity tests for restrictions on expression — jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court to examine specific domestic law provisions — arrest/detention standards under Article 6.
|
24 November 2023 |
|
A political party may sue for corporate property and fair-hearing rights, but failed to prove violations here.
Jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court — corporate applicants — political party capacity to sue for rights intrinsic to corporate existence (property, fair hearing) — limited review of national court decisions for procedural human-rights safeguards — property rights and effect of memorandum of understanding (MoU).
|
24 November 2023 |
|
ECOWAS Court found no human-rights violations, admitted expedited procedure, dismissed damages, and ordered costs against the applicant.
Human rights — Jurisdiction of ECOWAS Court; admissibility and standing of political party representative despite contested dissolution; expedited procedure for election-related urgency; non-interference with national criminal and administrative decisions; fair trial and arbitrary detention claims assessed and dismissed; property and health allegations unproven; damages dismissed; costs awarded against applicant.
|
17 November 2023 |
| October 2023 |
|
|
Whether an unjustified internet shutdown and social-media blocking violated NGOs' rights to information and freedom of expression.
Human rights — Freedom of expression and right to information — Internet shutdowns and social media blocking — Default judgment for non-appearance — Standing of NGOs/legal persons to sue — Damages rejected for lack of quantification — State obligation to enact safeguards.
|
31 October 2023 |
