The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has asked the International Criminal Court to discontinue its ongoing probe of the Nigerian military, arguing that the country has demonstrated will to promote justice and end terrorism......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Fagbemi stated Nigeria’s position on Monday while speaking at the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, at Hague, Netherlands.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who protested the prolonged investigation of the Nigerian military by the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC, expressed the country’s commitment to confronting impunity, holding perpetrators of heinous crimes accountable, and restoring justice for victims.
He noted that the preliminary examination into alleged crimes in Nigeria had lasted 14 years and was demoralizing to the service men laying their lives to defend their country against terrorists.
He reiterated the military’s adherence to international humanitarian law and ensuring accountability for any personnel found guilty of misconduct.
“While we respect the court’s mandate to intervene when states are unable or unwilling to prosecute such crimes, it is important to emphasize that there must be respect and regard to the principle of complementarity.
“The ICC is meant to act as a court of last resort, intervening only when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to address grave crimes. I must assert that Nigeria does not fall under any such situation.
“Our nation has consistently demonstrated both the will and the capacity to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including those committed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
“We are proud of the Nigerian Military, which has systems and structures in place to ensure their operations are guided by international humanitarian law and human rights principles,” the AGF said.
Recall that a December 2022 report by Reuters made some disturbing allegations that the Nigerian Army was involved in forced abortions on women and girls impregnated by Boko Haram fighters.
The report also alleged that the army was responsible for the intentional killing of children, including babies fathered by fighters, young boys who were fighters, or those perceived to be fighters. The report claimed that children were smothered, poisoned, or shot.
Resounding to this, Fagbemi said “at the 22nd Session of this Assembly, Nigeria reported the establishment of an independent Special Investigative Panel by the National Human Rights Commission to address allegations against the Nigerian military made by Reuters.
“After thorough investigations spanning eight months, the Panel found no evidence to substantiate these claims. The allegations of killings, torture, and the recruitment of underage fighters have been proven to be false and exaggerated.
“Indeed, the work of the Panel and acceptance of its recommendations by the Government clearly indicates that Nigeria has the political will to investigate allegations of heinous crimes and hold violators accountable.”
Fagbemi insisted that the Nigerian military has always acted within the ambit of the law and urged the Office of the Prosecutor to disregard ill comments against the army and pledged to continually support the work of the ICC.
