Nigerian-British Professor Dapo Akande Elected as ICJ Judge

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.