Maritime Security: Nigeria Proposes Specialized Court For Gulf Of Guinea Piracy Trials

Nigeria has called for the establishment of specialised court to try maritime piracy cases in the region.

Nigeria also charged the Gulf of Guinea Commission to safeguard the environment and protect the region from environmental degradation, guard against dumping of radioactive material and nuclear waste.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, stressed the need for concrete measurable timelines for the exploration of the rich natural resources of the region’s deep waters.

Tugga spoke at the 6th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday.

He also urged the Assembly to consider and approve strategies for the accomplishment of three teleological goals of the commission, namely safety and security, sustainable development, and protection of the environment.

The minister also assured the assembly that Nigeria’s commitments to the commission is unwavering, adding that the country was in the process of offsetting its financial commitment.

He said: “The time is apt for the GGC to step forward and lead the way in establishing a specialized court to handle the trials of maritime crimes. This requires agreements with regional states and setting up processes to facilitate the trial of offenders in the court of competent jurisdiction that we would establish.”