In a dramatic escalation of internal crisis at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, has filed suit against the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gambian-born Dr Omar Alieu Touray, at the Community Court of Justice (CCJ) in Abuja.
The lawsuit, filed on November 3, 2025, seeks to nullify Touray’s October 30 memo that revoked Darma’s delegated authority and oversight over directorates under the Department of Internal Services. Darma, represented by Prof Amos Enabulele Esq. and Michael Agbo Esq., argues the decision was illegal, unilateral, and violated due process.
Darma contends that disciplinary jurisdiction over Commissioners lies exclusively with the ECOWAS Council of Ministers—the appointing authority—under Article 18(3)(b)-(d) and Article 19(4) of the 2006 Supplementary Protocol (A/SP.1/06/06). He accused Touray of bypassing the Council and ignoring the principle of collegiality that governs the Commission.
The conflict reportedly began after a Commissioner from one of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—Mali, Burkina Faso, or Niger—departed following the bloc’s withdrawal from ECOWAS. At an April 2025 Council meeting in Accra, Ministers directed that the vacant portfolio be redistributed among existing Commissioners after consultation. Darma claims Touray instead attempted to impose a Gambian Cabinet Minister as replacement—effectively giving The Gambia two Commission slots alongside Touray himself—without discussion.
When Darma refused to recognize the move and reported it to the Council Chairman on October 15, Touray responded with the revocation memo, citing “persistent insubordination,” “uncooperative attitude,” and alleged hostility toward staff, including the Auditor General and Vice President.
Darma denies the allegations, stating he has never been formally charged nor given a chance to defend himself. He claims the widely circulated memo caused irreparable damage to his reputation and substantial distress to his family.
The suit seeks declarations that Touray’s actions violated the 1993 Revised Treaty, the 2006 Protocol, the 2020 Supplementary Act, the Staff Regulations, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Darma demands $20 million in special and general damages, full payment of emoluments lost, and an interim order restraining further delegation of his duties pending hearing.
The CCJ has granted Touray 15 days to file a defense; no hearing date is set. Darma requested expedited proceedings.
The case comes amid broader turmoil in the Touray administration, with only months left in its mandate. A separate September lawsuit by a Nigerian citizen forced ECOWAS to phase out the status of AES nationals by April 2026. Staff recruitment for key vacancies has stalled amid petitions and internal disputes.
Insiders describe the Commission as paralyzed by distrust, with statutory appointees clashing over authority. The outcome could reshape governance protocols within Africa’s premier regional bloc.
