The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, has expressed readiness to probe the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal government on the abduction of students in Nigeria.
A statement disclosed on Sunday by ICC’s prosecutor, Karim A. Khan, says the probe will cover kidnappings in northern Nigeria, closure of schools, and the persistent failure of the federal and state authorities to end abduction.
The development was announced by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that SERAP had in September called on the ICC to probe and prosecute those responsible and complicit for kidnappings and shutting down of schools.
The rights group said the severe and lifelong harms that result from depriving children of the right to education satisfy the gravity of harm threshold under the Rome Statute.
Responding to SERAP in a letter dated October 22 with Ref. No. OTP-CR-363/21 and signed on the prosecutor’s behalf by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit, ICC stated that the criteria for investigating the abductions have been met.
Responding to SERAP in a letter dated October 22 with Ref. No. OTP-CR-363/21, Khan stated that the criteria for a probe into a string of abductions have been met.
The letter signed on the prosecutor’s behalf by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit, noted that the preliminary examination of the petition is considered complete.
Nigeria News: Fayose’s son wedding: Don’t die because of any politician – Makinde warns Nigerians
According to the prosecutor, under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the next step in the judicial process “is to prepare and submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorisation to open an investigation on Nigeria.
“Once submitted, the request will be made publicly available on the Court’s website: www.icccpi.int.
“Your communication will be forwarded to the relevant team to be analysed, together with other related communications and other available information, in the context of any future investigations.”
In a statement, SERAP hailed the ICC prosecutor for taking a significant step toward ensuring that persons responsible for the atrocities against schoolchildren are exposed.
The body said impartial justice and reparation will deal a decisive blow to the impunity of perpetrators, and improve access of Nigerian children to education.
“The victims of these crimes deserve justice. SERAP will work closely with the ICC to achieve these important objectives”, deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare assured.
Last week, 27 students and 3 teachers abducted from the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri in Kebbi, regained freedom.
