East African Court of Justice, 29th June 2020: The Appellate Division Judges, the Vice President Hon Justice Liboire Nkurunziza and Hon Justice Aaron Ringera ended their tour of duties at the Court on 20th and 26th of June 2020 respectively. His Lordship Justice Liboire from the Republic of Burundi has served a tenure of seven years while Justice Ringera from the Republic of Kenya served a term of 5 years and has retired at the age of 70 years.
The President of the Court Hon Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja in his farewell message to the Vice President Justice Nkurunziza, commended him for the rich knowledge in the Civil Law system that helped enrich the jurisprudence of the Court and wished him the best in his long legal career ahead.
His Lordship Justice Ugirashebuja also in his congratulatory message to Justice Ringera, bid farewell to him and wished him a happy 70th birthday as he exited the services of the Court. The President added that Justice Ringera’s services to the East African Court, his Country Kenya and the Community at large has been nothing short of impeccable. “I wish him a well-deserved retirement, Justice Ringera you are retired but not tired” Said the President.
Her Ladyship, Hon Justice Monica Mugenyi, the Principal Judge on her part said that, it has been a distinct honour serving with Justice Ringera at EACJ. “Your deep knowledge of the Law, your prowess at judicial procedure and your incredible ability to apply a depth of common sense to your judgments has greatly enriched the Court’s jurisprudence” said The Principal Judge. She further commended His Lordship Justice Ringera for applying his vast experience in public service to guide the Management of the Court in numerous and invaluable ways. “As you take your leave from us, I shall greatly cherish your congeniality, decency, sincerity and humbling humility” Her Ladyship expressed.The Principal Judge also congratulated the Vice President and wished him a peaceful retirement.
Other Judges of the Court further congratulated their Lordships and wished them the best in their careers ahead.
Article 25 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community provides for the Tenure of Office of Judges
- Subject to paragraph 2 of Article 24, a Judge appointed under paragraph 1 of Article 24 of this Treaty, shall hold office for a maximum period of seven years.
A Judge shall hold office for the full term of his or her appointment unless he or she resigns or attains seventy (70) years of age or dies or is removed from office in accordance with this Treaty.
Where the term of office of a Judge comes to an end by effluxion of time or on resignation before a decision or opinion of the Court with respect to a matter which has been argued before the Court of which he or she was a member is delivered, that Judge shall, only for the purpose of completing that particular matter, continue to sit as a Judge.
A Judge may, at any time, resign his or her office by giving three months’ written notice to the Chairman of the Summit through the Secretary General.
The salary and other terms and conditions of service of a Judge not provided for in this Treaty shall be determined by the Summit on the recommendation of the Council.
About the EACJ
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
For more information please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo, Registrar, East African Court of Justice. Tel: 255-27-2162149
Email Okubo@eachq.org
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
http://www.eacj.org