BAKASSI PENINSULAR, JUDGEMENT OF ICJ & DISTINGUISHED SENATORS

[Dan-Borno]

This is my second thread that involves our Distinguished
Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which to me
shows how ready they are in working towards actualising
the long time Nigerians dream of a better country worth
staying in.

Recently, the Distinguished Senators under the leadership
of the Senate President took a decision that created so
many legal luminaries to comment about the possibility and
consequences of the judgement as passed by the ICJ
during the Obasanjo Administration.

The Distinguished Senators in a landmark resolution
ordered the Federal Government to stop any further transfer
of any part of the Peninsula especially Abana and Atabong
communities to Cameroon until the agreement between the
two countries was ratified by the National Assembly.

The action taken by the Senators was in reaction to a long
dated letter sent to the former House but only put into
action now, written by the several composition of villages
affected by the ICJ who were in Nigeria before the judgement.
In their letter to the Senators, they lamented how much they
are suffering from the judgement which has been affecting
their way of living, and in effect will affect their unborn
children and grand children.  Its not easy to resettle an already
settled people, especially when their Colonial breeding is
different as in the case of Nigeria and Cameroon (French & Britain).

The Distinguished Senators wants the judgement of the ICJ to
be reversed, though a very bold attempt but what are the
possibilities of this demand by our Senators?  How is it going to
affect the image of Nigeria as it regards to the other worlds?

If at all Nigeria decided to reject the ICJ Judgement after it has
earlier on accepted, another likely consequences is use of military
force by the United Nations Security Council as contained in the
UN Charter Article 94 Paragraph 2:

          "If any party to a case fails to perform the
           obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment
           rendered by the Court, the other party may
           have recourse to the Security Council, which
           may, if it deems necessary, make recommenda-
           tions or decide upon measures to be taken to
           give effect to the judgment."

The argument raised by our Distinguished Senators among others
is that Olusegun Obasanjo unilaterally handover the Oil Rich
Peninsula without the approval or ratification of the Legislative
arm of the then Government which may result to ultra vires and
of no effect.

Our Distinguished Senators also debated that cession was a
breach of first schedule of the 1999 Constitution which listed
Bakassi as part of Nigerian territory.  Accordingly,  the National
Assembly need to first amend the constitution to remove Bakassi
from Nigeria 's map before the ruling of ICJ can be effected.
Tabdi Jam, yau zamuga jan aiki kuwa.

Obasanjo is now not the President, only God knows what made
him to handover the Bakassi as at that time despite the cries and
Nos from Nigerians.

Already, in Borno State, villages were handed over to the Cameroon
and billions of Nigerian Nigeria has been expended to that effect as
managed by the Nigerian Cameroon Mixed Commissioned under the
Presidency to ressetle our people.

An independent observation confirmed that those who came back
to the Nigerian side are still suffering from neglect, as there are
no schools, hospitals or any other infrastructure to enable them
feel at home.

There are so many unsolved and unswered questions and problems
on this Bakassi issue.  I concure with my Distinguished Senators
and look for whichever possible way in reversing/rejecting the
judgement of the ICJ but also avoiding the claws of article 94 of
the UN.

[Muhsin]

DB,
The decision came to me as a great surprise as well as infuriated fear. Fisrt, am amazed because I never know any Law can act over what World Court had made decision upon. Secondly, the fear is that of possible outbreak of war between Nigeria and Cameroun. Thus, to my own understanding, senate shouldn't have come up with this denial issue but they should remain mute and leave the matter at rest, even though some, as they pin-pointed, of the residents there are victimized. Nigeria can still offer them help if the gov't wishes.

[waduz]

To an average mind, all the parties are just playing politics. But the reality is that Bakassi belongs to Nigeria, no matter what the statutes say, it will remain so. I only hope that it will not lead to any war between us and our sister country cameroon.

[Muhsin]

To an average mind, all the parties are just playing politics. But the reality is that Bakassi belongs to Nigeria, no matter what the statutes say, it will remain so. I only hope that it will not lead to any war between us and our sister country cameroon.

Then hope senate wouldn't have come up with this decision Waduz. If they really are after peaceful living between Nigeria and Cameroun this shouldn't be done but why and why after what World Court (afraid if thats what's called) has alreally ruled on.