Nigerian-British professor of international law, Dapo Akande, has secured election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Akande will serve a nine-year term on the 15-member court, which hears disputes between countries and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised international bodies.
His election is particularly significant for the United Kingdom, which is regaining representation on the court nearly a decade after its previous judge, Christopher Greenwood, failed to secure re-election in 2017.
A Nigerian-trained legal practitioner, Akande occupies the Chichele Professorship of Public International Law at the University of Oxford. He is also a fellow of All Souls College and co-director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict.
Beyond academia, he practises as a barrister at Essex Court Chambers and is a member of the United Nations International Law Commission.
Over the years, Akande has built an extensive international legal career, advising governments and major international organisations on complex questions of public international law.
His clients and institutions he has advised include the United Nations, African Union Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
He has equally participated in proceedings before some of the world's leading international courts and tribunals, serving as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before the ICJ, International Criminal Court, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and European Court of Human Rights.
In his reaction to the election, the Oxford professor described the development as a great honour, thanking countries that backed his nomination.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice,” he said.
He pledged to uphold the independence of the court and ensure that his decisions would be guided by an impartial interpretation and application of international law.
“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,” Akande added.
He further expressed readiness to work with other members of the court in promoting peaceful resolution of disputes among nations.
The ICJ has remained at the centre of global legal and diplomatic discussions in recent years, particularly following its interventions and advisory opinions concerning Israel's conduct and obligations as an occupying power in Palestinian territories, including Gaza.
Britain's Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris, who campaigned for Akande's election, welcomed his candidacy, describing him as possessing the qualities required to contribute meaningfully to 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.”
Norris also used the opportunity to reaffirm Britain's commitment to the international judicial system, noting that the country had accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ.
He encouraged other nations that have yet to accept the court's jurisdiction to consider doing so in line with the provisions of its statute.
Akande's election adds another milestone to his career in international law and places him among the 15 judges entrusted with interpreting international law and adjudicating disputes between sovereign states.
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