International records / OpenAlex research

On Expelling Nigeria from the Commonwealth

Summary In November 1995, the execution of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth and the possibility of its expuhion from membership. The absence of an expulsion clause for the Commonwealth led to the question whether the association has the inherent power to expel and whether any such power of expuhion is limited by international law. A review of treaties, customary international law, and commentary suggests that the Commonwealth can expel a member by use of implied power. Other factors, however, militate against Nigeria’s expuhion. Once expelled, Nig…