Article 6 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty identifies six institutions established by ECOWAS as follows:

i. The ECOWAS Commission – Abuja, Nigeria

ii. Community Court of Justice –Abuja, Nigeria

iii. ECOWAS Parliament – Abuja, Nigeria

iv. West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO)- Oagadougou, Burkina Faso

v. ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)- Lome, Togo

vi. Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering and Terorist Financing (GIABA) – Dakar, Senegal

The Court was established pursuant to the provisions of Article 6 and 15 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty. Its organisational framework, functioning mechanism, powers and procedures are provided for in the 1991 Protocol and 2005 Supplementary Protocol. The Court began its operation in January 2001 after the first set of judges were sworn in. The Court adopted its Rules of Procedure in 2002. While the Supplementary Protocol was adopted in 2005, which gave individuals direct access to the Court.

The Court is composed of five (5) judges who are persons of high moral character appointed by the Authority from nationals of Member States for a four year term of office, upon recommendation of the Community Judicial Council.