President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has called on the new President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, to, among others, embark on urgent reforms in the court in order to reassure some African leaders who accuse the ICC of discrimination.

Saraki, who gave the charge when Justice Eboe-Osuji visited him at the National Assembly, also urged the international jurist to use his tenure at the Court to restore confidence in the ICC.

The President of the Senate, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, said: “You have come at a very challenging time because as you know there are brother African countries that have different views about the ICC at this particular time and Nigeria will continue to play the role to stand firm to be able to be a kind of arbiter between different countries.

“I think having you as the President is well thought out. It is very important to have someone like you heading the place. I think there’s need to look at reforms in order to give everybody a sense of belonging and fulfil the goals and objectives of the ICC. I think that there will be need to always do that which is right to give all countries a sense of belonging.”

He also assured Justice Eboe-Osuji of the National Assembly’s support saying: “What I can assure you, is that here in the National Assembly, we will support you and ensure that you make your mark and be a shining star among us and other countries.

“I am very certain that you will make a very successful tenure as the President of the ICC. Let me also reiterate our country's and National Assembly’s commitment to support the vision of the ICC, which is to ensure that we do as much as we can to fight crimes against humanity.”

Saraki lauded Justice Eboe-Osuji for the visit and pledged the support of the National Assembly to the success of the objectives and goals of the founding fathers of the ICC.

Earlier, Justice Eboe-Osuji told the President of the Senate that his visit was to appreciate the support and encouragement from the government and people of Nigeria when he contested for the presidency of the ICC.

He said that he was particularly encouraged by President Muhammadu Buhari who through the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, felicitated with him when he was elected President of the Court.

Justice Eboe-Osuji acknowledged that Nigeria is one of the first sixty signatories of the Rome Statute that established the court.

He said that the court has a global objective to end impunity, fight against genocide, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

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