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A regional court has directed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to pay $50,000 to Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma following a legal dispute over the termination of his appointment.
The judgment also requires the commission to clear his outstanding salaries and allowances for the period covering his removal from office until the conclusion of his four-year tenure, after accounting for any payments already made.
Darma, who served as a commissioner responsible for internal services, revealed the outcome on Friday, saying the ruling addressed the circumstances surrounding the loss of his position within the regional organisation.
The disagreement began in October 2025 after the commission’s leadership issued a memorandum withdrawing certain responsibilities previously delegated to him. The action also reportedly raised concerns about his conduct and performance.
Seeking legal redress, Darma filed a case before the ECOWAS Court of Justice on November 3, 2025. The matter became more complicated the following month when Nigeria recalled him and proposed another candidate for the position.
However, the court reportedly ruled that his appointment was subject to ECOWAS regulations and that Nigeria’s decision to recall him did not automatically bring his tenure to an end. It also found that the process leading to his removal failed to comply with the required procedures.
Darma’s appointment eventually expired on August 31, 2026, making reinstatement unnecessary. The court instead ordered financial compensation and payment of his outstanding entitlements, including the relevant legal costs.
The former commissioner also raised concerns about administrative practices within the organisation, particularly recruitment procedures and the distribution of official responsibilities. He called for greater adherence to established regulations to prevent similar disputes in the future.
