Lawyer wey learn for Nigeria, Dapo Akande, don win election as judge of International Court of Justice

Professor Dapo Akande, na Nigerian-trained international lawyer, don win election as judge of di International Court of Justice (ICJ), na di United Nations' top court for disputes between countries.

Dem elect Akande on Tuesday after separate votes by di UN General Assembly and di Security Council for New York, according to di UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He run as di United Kingdom's candidate.

Di UK government talk say he secure di backing of majority of UN member states for a closely contested race. PM News report say he get 11 votes for di 15-member Security Council, pass di eight wey e need, and he dey among four candidates wey win di required majorities for di first round.

Akande, na Professor of Public International Law for University of Oxford, go serve nine-year term starting February 6, 2027, for di court wey dey The Hague, Netherlands.

His election bring a UK judge back to di court after nine-year absence, di UK statement talk.

Why e matter for Nigeria

Akande first qualify as lawyer for Nigeria. He earn him law degree from di then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, for 1992 and dem call am to Nigerian Bar for 1993, according to PM News.

He get nearly three decades of experience as scholar and practitioner, e dey advise governments across all five UN regional groups plus bodies like United Nations and African Union.

Nigeria's Permanent Representative to di UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, congratulate President Bola Tinubu on di election, call am another boost for Nigeria's international standing. He talk say Nigeria's main remaining ambition for UN na seat on di Security Council.

ICJ judges, however, dey work independently and dem no dey represent their home governments.

Akande na Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and member of UN International Law Commission. He don act as counsel, adviser or expert before di ICJ and other international tribunals.

"I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on di basis of a faithful and impartial application of di law," Akande talk for di UK statement.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham talk say di election show Britain's commitment to international law, while Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband call Akande an asset to di court.

Wetin happen next

Akande go take him seat on di 15-member court for February 2027. Di ICJ dey settle legal disputes between states and e dey give advisory opinions on international legal questions.