ABUJA — The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to promoting capable African representation within international institutions following a diplomatic visit from Kenya’s candidate for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Hon. Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u.
Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received the Supreme Court Judge alongside Isaac Keen Parashina, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The diplomatic engagement was centred on securing Nigeria’s support for Justice Ndung’u ahead of the ICC judicial elections scheduled for December 2026, where Africa is expected to contest and secure two seats on the global court.
Addressing the Permanent Secretary, Justice Ndung’u pointed to her 36-year legal career—which spans roles as a prosecutor, an African Union legal advisor, a member of Parliament, and fifteen years on Kenya’s Supreme Court bench—as evidence of the experience she would bring to the Hague.
She highlighted her track record in gender justice, notably her role in drafting Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act, as well as her country’s strides in judicial automation, specifically mentioning Kenya’s transition to a fully virtual Supreme Court system to boost administrative efficiency.
Justice Ndung’u emphasized that the ICC requires competent and experienced African judges who can effectively bridge the gap between the court and African member states, thereby bolstering confidence in global justice mechanisms.
In response, Ambassador Ahmed commended the candidate’s professional credentials and acknowledged the deep-rooted bilateral and multilateral cooperation that exists between Nigeria and Kenya. While emphasizing Nigeria’s strategic interest in ensuring strong African voices in global bodies, the Permanent Secretary assured the Kenyan delegation that their formal request for endorsement would receive due consideration through standard diplomatic channels.
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