Abdulmumin Giwa
The Federal Government Of Nigeria is becoming jittery as investigations by the International Criminal Court, ICC into major crimes it committed against citizens moves to the next stage.
The ICC is pursuing eight cases against Nigeria according to the minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami.
The minister stated this when Prof. Chile Osuji, the newly elected ICC leader visited him in Abuja.
The scare developed as the ICC moved from the stage of preliminary examination to the stage of preliminary investigation placing the FGN under investigation.
Six of the cases were said to be against Boko Haram and two against the military.
The minister expressed fears with the stepping up of the investigation even as the Nigerian government has expressed willingness to investigate and prosecute those found guilty of violating the Rome Statute.
The minister assures the ICC head that the escalation of the cases would not deter Nigeria from further demonstrating support for the ICC.
Responding, Osuji commended Nigeria for its support a assures that the ICC will continue to fight injustice in its area of jurisdiction.
He also debunked as inaccurate and erroneous the impression that Article 27 of the Rome Statute that prohibits immunity being extended to any head of state or senior government officials was targeted at African leaders.
He said the provision and the reason for that portion of the Rome Statute predated independence of African states.
