Reps to Consider Fresh Appeal Over Bakassi Dispute with Cameroon

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on the International Boundary Dispute Between Nigeria and Cameroon has indicated that it may file a fresh application to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment, which ceded Bakassi to Cameroon. The committee resumed its hearing on the matter and was established to investigate Cameroon’s encroachment into Cross River State’s territory.

The communities of Danare and Biajua, along with approximately 7,000–10,000 hectares of land in the Boki Area of Cross River State, are at risk of being lost to Cameroon, as highlighted by lawmakers from the state.

During the meeting with relevant stakeholders, including the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji, and representatives from the affected Boki communities, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Beni Lar, expressed concern over the potential loss of significant land and Nigerian citizens residing within it to Cameroon.

Lar emphasized that the House is committed to preventing the loss of another Nigerian territory to another country. She called for a consideration of the human rights angle and stressed the importance of reviewing outdated laws, such as the 1912 treaty governing the disputed region. Lar also mentioned that a political solution would be necessary in addition to a legal one, and she urged stakeholders to work together to find a way to protect Nigerian citizens in the region.

However, the director general of the National Boundary Commission, Adaji, called for compliance with the provisions of the ICJ judgment, which implies accepting the cession of Bakassi to Cameroon.

Members of the committee expressed their frustration, believing that the NBC was not adequately safeguarding the country’s interests. Cletus Obun, a community leader from Boki, pleaded for urgent intervention to prevent the loss of land and displacement of the people.

The House of Representatives is determined to explore all options, including filing a fresh appeal through diplomatic channels, in order to find a resolution that preserves the nation’s territory and protects the well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in the disputed region.