Dapo Akande: Nigerian-British professor elected to International Court of Justice bench

Nigerian-British professor of public international law, Dapo Akande, has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), securing a nine-year tenure on the United Nations’ principal judicial organ.

Akande will serve on the 15-member court, which handles legal disputes between countries and issues advisory opinions on matters of international law.

His election marks Britain’s return to the ICJ bench after nearly a decade without representation. The country lost its seat in 2017 when Christopher Greenwood failed to secure re-election, making Britain the first country to be without a judge on the court since its establishment 71 years earlier.

Akande is the Chichele Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, a fellow of All Souls College and co-director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict.

He is also a barrister at Essex Court Chambers and a member of the United Nations International Law Commission.

With expertise in public international law, Akande has provided legal advice to several governments and international institutions, including the United Nations, African Union Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

His professional experience also includes serving as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before international judicial bodies such as the ICJ, International Criminal Court, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and European Court of Human Rights.

Reacting to his election, Akande expressed appreciation to the countries that supported his candidacy, pledging to discharge his responsibilities independently and impartially.

“I am deeply honoured to be elected to the international court of justice,” he said.

“I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me. I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law.

“I look forward to contributing to the ICJ’s vital work in helping to resolve disputes by peaceful means, alongside the other colleagues elected today.”

The court has received considerable international attention in recent years over its proceedings and advisory opinions concerning Israel’s obligations under international law in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza.

Britain’s Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris, had backed Akande’s candidacy, describing him as a highly qualified choice for the position.

“At a moment when international law is under pressure, Prof Akande brings the independence, legal rigour, judgment and breadth of perspective that the court needs,” Norris said.

“He would make a formidable contribution to its work.”

Norris also reiterated Britain’s commitment to the ICJ, saying the country had accepted the court’s compulsory jurisdiction.

“We have accepted its compulsory jurisdiction. And we again encourage states that have not yet done so to consider accepting the court’s jurisdiction in accordance with its statute,” he added.

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