The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has backed Olufemi Elias to secure a seat at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Newsconnect reports that member states are preparing to vote in the upcoming judicial elections set to be held in New York on November 12 at a meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the General Assembly
The ICJ is composed of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms. To maintain continuity, one-third of the judges are elected every three years, and in the event of a vacancy, a special election is held.
The forthcoming election seeks to fill the seat of Abdulqawi Ahmed, a Somali judge, who tendered his resignation as a member of the court effective September 30.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, formally presented Elias for the role in a video statement, highlighting his extensive legal and diplomatic experience.
He said: “Elias stands among the most respected figures in the field of international law, with a distinguished record of legal scholarship, decades of service to the global community, and a dedication to the principles of justice, equity, and the rule of law.
“His contributions embody the ideals upon which the ICJ was founded and the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
“This nomination reflects Nigeria’s steadfast belief in a rules-based international order, one in which justice is impartial, peace is safeguarded, and all nations, regardless of size or power, have an equal voice in shaping a fairer and more secure future for humanity.”
According to Tuggar, Elias’ unique combination of judicial appointments, educational qualifications, and extensive experience in the international civil service sets him apart.
He called on the international community to support Elias’s candidacy, expressing confidence that his election to the court will strengthen the cause of global justice and advance the peaceful settlement of disputes among nations.
Elias currently serves as an ad hoc judge for the court.
Taslim, Elias’ father, served as an ICJ judge from 1976 to 1991, as vice-president from 1979 to 1982, and as president of the court from 1982 to 1985.