Anukam Elected African Court On Human Rights Judge

The Federal Government yesterday congratulated Justice Stella Anukam on her election as a judge of African Court on Human and People’s Rights.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who hailed the development in a message released to newsmen in Abuja, said Anukam’s election was “a great victory for Nigeria”.
Anukam was elected among 11 new judges of the court.
“Nigeria secured the seat after fourth round of keenly contested election at the ongoing 31st African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Nouackchott, Mauritania.
“Anukam is currently Director, International and Comparative Law, Federal Ministry of Justice,” the minister, who attended the summit, said.
According to him, Anukam has a distinguished legal career spanning over 32 years and doubles as the National Coordinator on Human Rights Issues in Nigeria.
“A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Nigeria, Anukam was a former Director, Freedom of Information Unit in the Federal Ministry of Justice.”
Similarly, in a statement, the minister’s media aide, Sarah Sanda, quoted Anukam as saying that her mission at the Court was to contribute to build a strong, just and independent African Court.
She said that Anukam pledged to be committed to thorough interpretation and application of the Africa Charter, and other relevant human rights instruments for the protection and promotion of human and people’s rights in Africa.
Our correspondent reports that African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a continental court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
The judges, among themselves, elect a President and Vice-President, who serve a two-year term.