Justice Esther Anukam of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government towards her re-election.

Ms Anukam said their support greatly assisted in her re-election as a judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for a second term of six years.

She was re-elected for the second term on Friday.

According to her, the efforts of the federal government were demonstrated through the active role of the ministry of foreign affairs and the federal ministry of justice.

She added that the Nigerian representative in Addis Ababa also played a significant role, leading to her overwhelming victory in the election.

The election, which was held at the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union on Friday, was on the sidelines of the 6th mid-year coordinating meeting of the African Union held in Accra.

Ms Anukam was first elected as a Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2018, among 11 other judges.

Speaking about her election, Ms Anukam said, “The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights was established by the Ouagadougou Protocol in 1998 and was operationalised in 2006.

“It has the mandate to interpret and apply the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including any other human rights instruments to which a state party is a signatory.

“The court is established to complement the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which has both promotional and protective mandates.

“Access to the court is granted to state parties that have ratified the protocol establishing the court as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

Ms Anukam said the court has delivered landmark judgements since its establishment in 2006.

Ms Anukam scored 47 votes to defeat the candidates from the Central African Republic and Uganda, who each scored 46 votes.

(NAN)