Nigeria chooses Taslim Elias’ son as ICJ election candidate

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, on Thursday, announced Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The candidate is the son of former ICJ judge, the late Taslim Olawale Elias.

The ICJ, generally considered the highest court for resolving disputes between sovereign states, was founded in 1945 as the principal judicial body of the United Nations.

Tuggar presented Elias to the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria for the World Court elections in November in The Hague, Netherlands.

The minister described the Nigerian international lawyer, who currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the ICJ, as a respected figure in international law with an outstanding track record of legal scholarship.

He said: “On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am honored to announce the nomination of Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the ICJ.

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“The Federal Government has officially nominated Elias as his 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 effort in more than three decades to reclaim a seat on the ICJ bench.”

The minister recalled that the position was last held by the country through the late Justice Bola Ajibola, who served until 1994, saying “the step Elias took was a watershed moment for Nigeria, Africa and the global rule of law.

“Elias was a jurist of learning, integrity, and vision, a man whose scholarship and service reflect Africa’s enduring contributions to international law.

“Elias’ nomination represents not only the interests of Nigeria, but the entire ECOWAS sub-region which has had no representation at the ICJ since Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone in 2011.

“This long silence must end. The ICJ must reflect fair geographical representation. Africa’s voice must renew its stride in shaping the international legal order,” he added.

Elias said his eligibility for the top seat at the ICJ was based on his intellectual record, built over decades of teaching, scholarship and research in the field of international law.

He said: “This is not just Nigeria’s nomination, it is a reaffirmation of Africa’s legal acumen, independence and commitment to global justice.”