Foreign affairs minister Yusuf Tuggar has announced Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for the UN principal judicial organ, the International Court of Justice election.

Mr Tuggar disclosed this on Thursday during the presentation of Elias to the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria for the World Court election in November in The Hague, Netherlands.

The minister described the Nigerian international lawyer, currently serving as ad hoc judge at the ICJ, as a respected figure in international law with a distinguished record of legal scholarship.

He said, “On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am honoured to announce the nomination of Dr Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the ICJ. The Federal Government has officially nominated Elias as the country’s candidate for election to the ICJ, also known as the World Court.

“Elias’ candidacy reaffirms the country’s long-standing belief that law, not power, should govern international relations. This announcement marks Nigeria’s strongest diplomatic bid in over three decades to reclaim a seat in the ICJ bench.”

He explained that the position was last occupied by the country through late Justice Bola Ajibola, who served until 1994.

“The move for Elias is a defining moment for Nigeria, Africa, and the global rule of law. Elias is a jurist of learning, integrity, and vision, a man whose scholarship and service reflect Africa’s enduring contributions to international law. The nomination of Elias represents not just Nigeria’s interest, but the entire ECOWAS subregion that has no representation at the ICJ since Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone in 2011.

“This long silence must end; the ICJ must reflect equitable geographical representation. Africa’s voice must renew its move in shaping the international legal order,” said Mr Tuggar.

Mr Elias is a member of the Institut de Droit International who served as legal adviser and director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. He is the president of the administrative tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank administrative tribunal, and former president and member of the OPEC appeals committee.

Mr Elias, with a record of over 30 years of global legal and diplomatic experience, could become the fourth Nigerian to serve at the ICJ if he emerges as the winner. This will be in the footsteps of Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and his father, Taslim Elias.

(NAN)