Dapo Akande, a Nigerian-British professor of public international law, has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Akande will serve a nine-year term on the 15-member court,
which adjudicates legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions
on questions of international law.
His election restores Britain’s representation on the court
nearly a decade after Christopher Greenwood lost his bid for re-election in
2017, leaving the country without a judge on the ICJ for the first time in its
71-year history.
Akande, a Nigerian-trained lawyer, 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 UN
International Law Commission.
A specialist in public international law, Akande has advised
governments and international organisations, including the United Nations,
African Union Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat and North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation.
He has also acted as counsel, adviser and expert in cases
before several international tribunals, including the ICJ, International
Criminal Court, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and European
Court of Human Rights.
Reacting to his election, Akande said he was honoured by the
opportunity and grateful to the countries that supported his candidacy.
“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 ICJ has attracted international attention in recent
years over its proceedings and advisory opinions relating to Israel’s
obligations under international law, as an occupying power in the Palestinian
territories, including Gaza.
Alex Norris, the UK lord chancellor, had campaigned for
Akande’s election, describing him as a strong candidate for the court.
“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.”
He also reaffirmed Britain’s support for the ICJ, noting
that 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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