Ex-presidential aide urges NASS to revisit controversial Green Tree Agreement between Cross River, Cameroon

Wevole Ezin, Calabar

Ex-Presidential Aide, Obol Okoi Obono-Obla has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to take advantage of renewed attention to controversial Green Tree Agreement, ceding some part of Cross River State to Republic of Cameroon.

Recall that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Cameroon had laid claims to Danare and Biajua communities of Cross River State in Boki local government and Bakassi Peninsula, in Bakassi local government area of the state which led to the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula.

Describing it as a blatant violation of the International Law Principle of the Right to Self Determination, Obla said NASS should revisit the issue and carry out an oversight of the Green Tree Agreement.

Obla, a former aide to the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution Matters, made the call in a statement issued yesterday to some Newsmen in Calabar.

Obla who is also a renowned Lawyer, said it was violation of right to force the people of Bakassi peninsula, Danare and Biajua communities of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State of Nigeria to be part of the Republic of Cameroon without their consent under the cloak of the judgment of the International Court of Justice.

He however commended the courage of House of Representatives member representing Boki federal constituency, Victor Abang who raised the matter on the floor of the Green Chambers.

“I think this is a step in the right direction and commendable. This trajectory should have been taken by the Federal government of Nigeria right from 2004 when the International Court of Justice at the Hague delivered it judgment in the case of Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria (Cameroon v. Nigeria: Equatorial Guinea intervening”.

According to him, that the Green Tree agreement that was reached between Nigeria and Cameroon and negotiated by the United Nations to implement the Judgment of the International Court of Justice which ceded Bakassi was also illegal and unconstitutional.

Citing Section 12 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which says such Green Tree Agreement requires ratification by the National Assembly, Obla accused the federal government of sighing the Green Tree Agreement to please international community.

He said, it was regrettable that Nigeria was ill advised to submit to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, filed by the Republic of Cameroon in March, 29, 1994.

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