Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 15 April 2025 -- Earlier today, Tuesday, 15 April 2025, the Honourable Mr Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji of Nigeria and Canada, was sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, administered the oath of office at The President’s House, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
At the ceremony, CCJ President, the Honourable Mr Adrian Saunders, describing the process for the recruitment of Judges, remarked that ‘One of, if not the most sacred role carried out by the RJLSC is the appointment of Judges of the CCJ. The selection and appointment process is rigorous, competitive, merit-based and entirely independent of any political involvement.’ He also welcomed Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji remarking that ‘Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji has an impeccable record of service as a lawyer and jurist... I have no doubt that [he] will make an important contribution to the development of our Caribbean jurisprudence.’
Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji, the first Nigerian-Canadian to be appointed to the Court was selected from a pool of 26 applicants by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC), an independent body of 11 individuals responsible for appointing the Judges and staff of the Court. Applicants must have either served as a judge for at least five years or have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the practice or teaching of law in a state which has signed the Agreement Establishing the CCJ or a Commonwealth territory. Additionally, candidates are evaluated on criteria including high moral character, intellectual and analytical abilities, sound judgment, integrity, and an understanding of people and society.
Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji is an international jurist who brings expertise in criminal law and human rights law to the CCJ. He practised law as a barrister before trial courts in Nigeria and Canada and conducted appeals before the Court of Appeal for Ontario (Canada) and the Supreme Court of Canada. He previously served as a Judge and President of the International Criminal Court and, was the Legal Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. He also led the writing of amicus curiae submissions to the European Court of Human Rights and the United States Supreme Court. His diverse legal background also includes several posts as a legal advisor, published author and professor.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Mr Eboe-Osuji expressed that ‘the Court serves its purpose not only as a court for CARICOM nations to resolve disputes arising from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas but also there is no need to look beyond the seas for a final court of appeal, given the quality of judges we have on that Bench and it is an incredible honour for me to have been selected.’
Also, speaking at the Ceremony, Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, congratulated Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji, noting that since it was established ‘the CCJ has been unswerving it the pursuit of its vision of becoming a model of judicial excellence. Today, the CCJ has taken another important step in pursuit of the vision by adding Justice Eboe- Osuji to its ranks. Justice Eboe-Osuji is a brilliant legal mind and a gifted jurist whose long and distinguished career has as we have heard spanned many countries and institutions.’
Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji's appointment fills the vacancy left by Mr Justice Andrew Burgess, who retired on 11 April 2025. Judges of the CCJ are appointed to hold office until the age of seventy-two, while the President of the Court holds office for a non-renewable term of seven years.
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