President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Monday congratulated the Nigerian judge, Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, on his election as President of International Criminal Court (ICC).
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Thursday, described the development as positive for Nigeria.
According to him, this feat is coming a few days after Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, was appointed a professor by the Southern University, United States of America.
Saraki said the Eboe-Osuji’s emergence at the 10th Assembly of State Parties of ICC in New York testified that Nigerians had what it took to continue to provide leadership at local and global arena.
He wished the eminent jurist a successful tenure, and expressed optimism that he would work to justify the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues who voted to elevate him to the position.
“No doubt, the Presidency of the ICC represents a huge responsibility. It is my hope that Eboe-Osuji will help to lead the Court to new levels of successes in the next three years,” he said.
Similarly, Ekweremadu felicitated with the jurist and said his election President of the ICC was an honour for Nigeria and Africa.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said Eboe-Osuji’s emergence as President of the Court was not a surprise, given the jurist’s pedigree and experience.
He said: “I congratulate you most warmly on this well-deserved honour done to you and indeed Nigeria and Africa.
“Your emergence is indeed a boost to the determination of the ICC and the global community to end genocides, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression as well as help the victims to find justice.
“You were well prepared for the elevation and task by your sound education and experience as you distinguished yourself as prosecution counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and as senior legal officer to the Tribunal’s judges.
“You also excelled in your service at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Legal Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“This was in addition to the high profile cases you have been involved with since assuming office as a judge of the Court in 2012”.
Ekweremadu described the Imo-born jurist, the first Nigerian to be elected as an ICC judge, as “a worthy ambassador of the Nigerian legal and judicial system’’.
He urged him to remain on the path of excellence and justice. (NAN)