TheCable

The International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague has confirmed receiving a petition sent by human rights lawyer Femi Falana over alleged crimes against humanity committed in the context of the arms procurement scandal.

The ICC revealed this in a letter dated February 1, with reference: OTP-CR-32/16 and signed by Mark P. Dillon, head of information & evidence unit of the ICC.

“The office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents/letter,” the letter read.

“This communication has been duly entered in the communications register of the office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”

Falana had requested the court to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity committed by some former and serving military as well public officials.

He also raised issues bordering on alleged criminal diversion of $8 billion earmarked to procure equipment for the armed forces to fight insurgency.

“On account of the deliberate refusal of the former military authorities to equip and motivate the members of the armed forces involved in combat operations the insurgents have killed about 25,000 soldiers and civilians including children and displaced over 2,000,000 people,” the petition read.

“Having compromised the security of the people of Nigeria by collaborating with the terrorists the former military authorities deliberately encouraged the brutal killing of innocent people including ill-equipped officers and soldiers.”

The petition had triggered reaction and counter-reactions between Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister, and Falana.

Okonjo-Iweala accused the lawyer of attacking her for hurting the interest of his corrupt sponsors, an allegation he denied.