The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday endorsed the candidacy of Oxford law Professor Dapo Akande for a judgeship at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), describing the contest as part of a broader effort to shore up the international rule of law.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu received Akande at the National Assembly as the British-educated scholar pressed for Nigeria’s support ahead of the ICJ election later this year.
Kalu told lawmakers that a rules-based international system is essential to global stability and justice, and praised Akande’s contributions to the development of international law.
“Nigeria and every other country actually needs an international system where we are able to have stability and justice,” Kalu said.
“It is when we have the rule of law internationally that we are able to get into those tables.”
Akande, who holds the Chichele Professorship of Public International Law at the University of Oxford and serves on the United Nations International Law Commission, described himself as both a British candidate and a Nigerian national.
He said his nomination to the International Law Commission came via a joint submission by the United Kingdom and Nigeria, an indication of the two countries’ confidence in his expertise.
Accompanied by officials from the British High Commission, Akande told the House leadership that he was in Abuja to seek formal backing from the Federal Government and key stakeholders.
He thanked lawmakers for the meeting and for considering his bid.
NewsQuest reports that the ICJ election is expected later this year and will pit candidates from several countries for a limited number of seats on the world court, which settles disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on questions of international law.
