- 9 Agho Street, Benin City, Nigeria
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- + 234 708 745 2889
- info@cfcomlaw.com
The Centre for Community Law (CFComLaw) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing knowledge of ECOWAS law and oceanic law across West Africa. Through research, public education, policy engagement, and its peer-reviewed academic journal, CFComLaw works to ensure that ECOWAS frameworks become a living reality for the citizens, institutions, and coastal communities they are designed to serve. CFComLaw holds observer status with the International Seabed Authority under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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Help Centre & Information
Frequently Asked
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Everything you need to know about CFComLaw, ECOWAS law, oceanic governance, our research, events, and how to support our work.
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FAQ Category
About CFComLaw
What is CFComLaw and what does it stand for?+
CFComLaw stands for the Centre for Community & Oceanic Law. We are a non-profit, non-political organisation registered as an Incorporated Trustee under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in January 2020. Our name reflects our dual mandate: advancing knowledge of ECOWAS community law and promoting the sustainable governance of West Africa's ocean space.
Where is CFComLaw based?+
CFComLaw's principal offices are located at No. 9 Agho Street, off Ekehuan Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Our primary academic hub is the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, with whom we have a formal Memorandum of Understanding. We operate across all fifteen ECOWAS member states through research, publications, and digital engagement.
Is CFComLaw affiliated with the ECOWAS Commission or any government?+
No. CFComLaw is entirely independent. We are a registered civil society organisation with no political affiliation and no government funding. Our analysis and advocacy are grounded in law, not in the interests of any particular government or political party. This independence is fundamental to our credibility and mission.
What international recognition does CFComLaw hold?+
CFComLaw holds Observer Status at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), granted by the ISA Assembly in October 2024 — making us the first West African civil society organisation to hold this recognition. We are also listed in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) Civil Society Database, and our SDG initiative is formally registered with the United Nations.
How is CFComLaw funded?+
CFComLaw is funded through a combination of individual donations, institutional partnerships, grants, and programme fees. We have no government funding and rely on supporters who believe in our mission. All donations are used directly to fund research, legal education, and advocacy work. You can support our work through the Donations section of this website.
Who leads CFComLaw?+
CFComLaw is led by its founding Executive Director, Professor Amos O. Enabulele, a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Benin with a specialist focus on ECOWAS law and the law of the sea. The leadership team also includes a Director of Research & Development, a Director of Policy & Planning, and a Programme Administrator. See our Leadership & Experts page for full profiles.
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FAQ Category
ECOWAS Law & Citizens Rights
What is ECOWAS law and how does it affect ordinary citizens?+
ECOWAS law is the body of treaties, protocols, supplementary acts, and court decisions produced by the Economic Community of West African States. It covers free movement, human rights, trade and investment, and constitutional governance. ECOWAS law creates enforceable rights for over 400 million citizens across the fifteen member states, whether or not those citizens are aware of it.
Can I travel between ECOWAS member states without a visa?+
Yes. Under the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol (1979), citizens of ECOWAS member states have the right to travel without a visa to any other member state for up to 90 days, using only a valid passport or national identity document. You also have the right to seek residence and to establish a business in any member state. In practice, some states do not fully implement this right — one of the issues CFComLaw actively monitors and advocates on.
What is the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and how can I access it?+
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (ECCJ), based in Abuja, Nigeria, is the judicial arm of ECOWAS. Uniquely among regional courts in Africa, the ECCJ allows individual citizens to bring cases directly before it without first exhausting domestic legal remedies. It has jurisdiction over human rights violations by member states. Cases can be filed by natural persons, legal entities, and ECOWAS institutions. Information on filing is available on the Court's official website.
What is ECOWAS's policy on military coups?+
ECOWAS has a formal zero-tolerance policy on unconstitutional change of government, enshrined in the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001). ECOWAS is required to refuse to recognise coup governments and to apply sanctions. CFComLaw has published detailed analysis on the coups in Mali (2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), and the subsequent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS in early 2025.
Do landlocked ECOWAS states have the same rights as coastal states?+
Under ECOWAS law, all fifteen member states have equal standing within the Community. In the context of oceanic affairs, landlocked states have rights under UNCLOS to access the sea through transit states and to participate in ocean resource governance, including the international seabed Area. The 2025 withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS has significantly altered the legal landscape — an area CFComLaw continues to monitor and analyse.
What are the most important ECOWAS law topics CFComLaw covers?+
CFComLaw covers: the jurisprudence of the ECOWAS Community Court (including the Twitter Ban case, the Aladetoyinbo judicial independence case, and the Algom Resources case); free movement and citizens' rights; ECOWAS responses to coups; trade and investment frameworks; consumer rights in member states; and the intersection of ECOWAS law with international law. All topics are covered in CFComLaw's blog and the Journal of Community and International Law.
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FAQ Category
Oceanic & Maritime Law
What is oceanic law and why does it matter for West Africa?+
Oceanic law — also called the law of the sea — governs the rights and obligations of states in relation to the world's oceans. The foundational instrument is UNCLOS, which defines territorial seas, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelves, and the deep seabed Area. Twelve of the fifteen ECOWAS member states have Atlantic coastlines with EEZs rich in fish, hydrocarbons, minerals, and biodiversity worth hundreds of billions of dollars in potential value.
What is the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and why does CFComLaw have Observer Status there?+
The ISA is the intergovernmental body established under UNCLOS to regulate mining in the international seabed Area — the deep ocean floor beyond any country's national jurisdiction. In October 2024, the ISA Assembly granted CFComLaw Observer Status, the first such recognition for a West African civil society organisation. This allows CFComLaw to attend ISA meetings and make oral statements representing West African community interests in deep-sea mineral governance.
What is Nigeria's extended continental shelf and why is it significant?+
In 2023, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) awarded Nigeria an extended continental shelf of 20 nautical miles beyond the standard 200 nautical mile limit, giving Nigeria sovereign rights over a larger area of seabed — including potential mineral and hydrocarbon resources. CFComLaw has published analysis on the legal and policy significance of this award. See our Research & Publications page for the full analysis.
What is piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and what is ECOWAS doing about it?+
The Gulf of Guinea has been one of the world's most piracy-affected maritime zones, with attacks on vessels, crew kidnapping, and illegal fishing causing major economic losses. Legal frameworks for addressing this include the Yaounde Code of Conduct, the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy, and UNCLOS piracy provisions. CFComLaw researches these frameworks and advocates for stronger, more coordinated ECOWAS approaches to maritime security cooperation.
What is ITLOS and how is West Africa involved?+
ITLOS is the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, based in Hamburg, Germany. It is the primary international court with jurisdiction over disputes under UNCLOS. ECOWAS member states can bring disputes to ITLOS, and the Tribunal issues advisory opinions on important legal questions. CFComLaw has advocated for greater West African participation in ITLOS, including through the election of African judges — an area where the region has been historically underrepresented.
How does CFComLaw advocate for West Africa's ocean interests?+
CFComLaw advocates through: publishing research on oceanic law relevant to ECOWAS member states; monitoring ISA proceedings as an NGO Observer; engaging governments with policy briefs on maritime law reforms; hosting webinars and workshops on oceanic law for practitioners and students; and contributing to international discussions on equitable ocean governance. Our goal is to ensure West Africa's voice is heard wherever decisions about the ocean are made.
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FAQ Category
Research & the JCIL Journal
What is the Journal of Community and International Law (JCIL)?+
The JCIL is CFComLaw's peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to scholarship on ECOWAS law, African Union law, international law, the law of the sea, and related fields. All articles are freely available online — consistent with CFComLaw's mission of making legal knowledge accessible to all. The journal is available at journal.cfcomlaw.com.
How can I submit an article to the JCIL?+
The JCIL accepts submissions on a rolling basis. We welcome long articles (7,000–12,000 words), short articles (3,000–6,000 words), and case notes (1,500–3,000 words). All submissions undergo double-blind peer review by two field experts. Send submissions to journal@cfcomlaw.com or visit journal.cfcomlaw.com for full submission guidelines.
What is the peer review process for the JCIL?+
All JCIL articles undergo double-blind peer review — neither the author nor the reviewers know each other's identities during review. Each submission is reviewed by two independent experts in the relevant field. Authors typically receive feedback within eight to twelve weeks of submission. The Editors may desk-reject submissions that fall outside scope or do not meet basic scholarly standards before sending them to peer review.
Is the JCIL open access? Do authors need to pay to publish?+
Yes, the JCIL is fully open access — all published articles are freely available online with no paywall. CFComLaw does not currently charge article processing fees (APCs) for most submissions. We believe African legal scholarship should be freely accessible to practitioners, students, and citizens across the region, not locked behind expensive journal subscriptions.
Who can contribute to the CFComLaw blog?+
The CFComLaw blog welcomes contributions from legal practitioners, academics, policy analysts, and informed commentators on ECOWAS law, oceanic law, human rights, and related areas. Blog posts are typically 800–2,000 words. To pitch a post, email the editorial team at journal@cfcomlaw.com with a brief summary of your proposed topic. We particularly welcome voices from across the ECOWAS region.
What topics has CFComLaw published on?+
CFComLaw has published on: the ECOWAS Court's Twitter Ban ruling (SERAP v Nigeria); military coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger and ECOWAS's legal responses; Nigeria's extended continental shelf award; election of African judges to ITLOS; the ISA Assembly's functions; consumer protection in Nigeria's telecom sector; and the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. A full list is available on our Research & Publications page.
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FAQ Category
Events, Training & Education
What types of events does CFComLaw organise?+
CFComLaw organises: online webinars on current ECOWAS and oceanic law topics; expert roundtables for small groups of specialists; practical workshops for lawyers, law students, and policy officials; moot court competitions for law students across the ECOWAS region; and participation in regional summits and conferences, including the annual conference of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and ISA workshops.
How can I attend a CFComLaw webinar or event?+
CFComLaw events are announced on this website (Events & Programmes page), via our newsletter, and on our social media channels (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook). Most webinars are free to attend and open to all — including students, practitioners, policy makers, and members of the public. Some workshops may require registration. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of upcoming events.
Does CFComLaw run moot court competitions?+
Yes. CFComLaw organises moot court competitions for law students across ECOWAS member states, simulating proceedings before regional and international courts including the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and ITLOS. These competitions build practical skills in international and regional law advocacy among the next generation of West African lawyers. Details of upcoming competitions are posted on the Events page.
Can my university or law school co-organise an event with CFComLaw?+
Yes — CFComLaw actively welcomes co-organisation arrangements with universities, law schools, bar associations, and civil society organisations across the ECOWAS region. We have a formal MoU with the University of Benin and are expanding our academic partnerships. If you are interested in co-organising a workshop, moot court, or conference, contact us at info@cfcomlaw.com.
Are CFComLaw's webinar recordings available after the event?+
Where consent has been obtained from speakers, CFComLaw publishes recordings of webinars on its YouTube channel and archives them in the Resources Library on this website. Some specialised workshops are not recorded in order to encourage open discussion among participants. Check the Resources Library or our YouTube channel for available recordings.
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FAQ Category
Donations & Support
Why should I donate to CFComLaw?+
CFComLaw has no government funding and relies entirely on supporters who believe in our mission. Your donation directly funds peer-reviewed legal research, public education programmes that reach citizens across fifteen ECOWAS states, policy advocacy submitted to governments and the ECOWAS Commission, and ocean governance work at the International Seabed Authority. Every contribution advances justice, legal literacy, and sustainable governance across West Africa.
How do I make a donation?+
Donations are processed securely through Flutterwave, which accepts Visa, Mastercard, Verve, bank transfer, USSD, mobile money, and Barter. Visit our Donations page, select your preferred campaign — the Plastic Wastes Clean-Up Initiative or General CFComLaw Support — enter your chosen amount, and complete the secure checkout. A receipt will be sent to your email address immediately after payment.
What payment methods are accepted?+
CFComLaw accepts through Flutterwave: Visa and Mastercard cards; Verve cards; Nigerian bank transfer; USSD; mobile money (Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and other supported countries); and Barter by Flutterwave. All transactions are secured with SSL encryption and PCI-DSS Level 1 compliance. No payment details are stored on the CFComLaw website.
Can I make a recurring or monthly donation?+
Yes, if recurring donations are enabled on the donation product you select. Monthly giving is the most impactful way to support CFComLaw — it provides stable, predictable funding for long-term research and education programmes. Look for the Monthly Subscription option at checkout, or contact info@cfcomlaw.com to set up a regular giving arrangement directly.
What is the Plastic Wastes Clean-Up Initiative?+
The Plastic Wastes Clean-Up Initiative is CFComLaw's environmental campaign running January to December 2026, with a fundraising goal of $60,000. It brings together volunteers, youth environmental advocates, and local communities to remove plastic waste from rivers, coastlines, and waterways across West African communities. Donations fund clean-up operations, volunteer equipment, environmental education, and community action.
Can my company or organisation make an institutional donation?+
Yes. CFComLaw welcomes institutional, corporate, and foundation giving. For larger donations, grant arrangements, or CSR partnerships, please contact the Executive Director at info@cfcomlaw.com. We can provide formal grant agreements, project reports, and acknowledgement in our publications and communications as appropriate.
Is my donation tax-deductible?+
Tax deductibility depends on your country of residence. CFComLaw is registered as an Incorporated Trustee (Charity) under Nigerian law. If you are based in Nigeria, consult a tax adviser regarding the deductibility of charitable donations. For donors outside Nigeria, consult your local tax authority. CFComLaw can provide a written donation receipt upon request — contact info@cfcomlaw.com.
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FAQ Category
Partnerships & Collaboration
How can my university or law school partner with CFComLaw?+
CFComLaw actively seeks Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with universities and law schools across ECOWAS member states. Our MoU with the University of Benin covers joint research, moot court competitions, and access to academic expertise for the JCIL. If your institution is interested, contact us at info@cfcomlaw.com with a brief outline of your proposed areas of collaboration.
Can I become a contributing scholar or analyst for CFComLaw?+
Yes. CFComLaw welcomes contributions from legal scholars, practitioners, and policy analysts for both the JCIL and the CFComLaw blog. For journal submissions, visit journal.cfcomlaw.com for submission guidelines. For blog contributions, email a brief pitch to journal@cfcomlaw.com. We particularly encourage contributions from researchers based in ECOWAS member states.
Can international organisations and NGOs partner with CFComLaw?+
Yes. CFComLaw is open to partnerships with international organisations, NGOs, and civil society bodies sharing our commitment to legal education, regional integration, and sustainable ocean governance. We participate in ISA sessions and are interested in joint programming, co-publications, and shared advocacy on issues of common concern. Contact info@cfcomlaw.com to open a discussion.
Does CFComLaw accept volunteers?+
CFComLaw welcomes volunteers with relevant legal, research, communications, or administrative skills. Volunteer roles may include research assistance, blog editing, event support, and outreach coordination. Send a brief CV and a short note explaining your interest and availability to info@cfcomlaw.com. We will respond when suitable opportunities arise.
How can a bar association engage with CFComLaw?+
Bar associations are among CFComLaw's most important institutional partners. We engage with bar associations through roundtables and workshops for practising lawyers, policy briefs on issues affecting the legal profession, and advocacy on judicial independence and rule of law. If your bar association is interested in a partnership, contact info@cfcomlaw.com.
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Still Have a Question?
If you could not find what you were looking for, our team is happy to help. Reach out by email and we will respond within two working days.