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Nigeria nominates Olufemi Elias as candidate for World Court

Published

2 years ago

December 24, 2024

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Nigeria has formally presented Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate to lead the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Netherlands, for the term 2027 to 2036.

The ICJ is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, which was set up in 1945, after the World War II, to settle disputes within states, in line with international law.

The World Court has a panel of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms. An election for a seat at the Court is expected to hold in 2026.

Elias is currently Judge Ad Hoc at ICJ and a full member of the Institut de Droit International and has extensive experience as a lawyer and leader in various international organizations including serving as a UN Assistant Secretary-General and as the Legal Adviser and Director at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague.

At an event to formally present Elias to the UN diplomatic corps at the Nigeria House in New York, the Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Ambassador Samson Itegboje gave reasons the Nigerian candidate should be elected to the World Court.

Itegboje informed the gathering that Nigeria had become a party to the Statute of the ICJ in 1960 upon independence, the same year it became a member of the United Nations.

The Nigerian envoy also said that Elias was well read and knowledgeable in the field of law and already had considerable experience in the field, having had a long service at the United Nations.

“Since 1960, Nigeria has been making significant contributions, both in terms of participation in cases before the ICJ and in promoting the ICJ’s role in global dispute resolution.

Through these efforts we can state without being immodest that Nigeria has contributed significantly to the development of international law.

“It is important to recall that our legal experts and diplomats have participated in legal submissions, particularly in cases dealing with territorial disputes, human rights and maritime law.

” The Nigerian diplomat added that Nigeria had fully abided by all decisions of the ICJ that were binding on it, pursuant to Article 59 of the Statute of the Court.

Related Topics:Featured Nigeria Olufemi Elias

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NMMA shortlist 972 entries for 2026 awards

NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.

Published

2 days ago

August 14, 2026

OCHEFA

37 Views

The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) said that it has shortlisted 972 of 1,112 entries for this year’s awards.

The Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, said that the entries for the 34th edition cut across print, radio, and television categories.

Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said that the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.

Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.

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Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop

The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.

Published

5 days ago

August 11, 2026

OCHEFA

75 Views

•Faith Alayande

A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.

In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.

Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.

The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.

“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”

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Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son

A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.

Published

5 days ago

August 11, 2026

OCHEFA

70 Views

• Joseph Ezeokafor

Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.

Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.

Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.

Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.

His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.

“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.