TheCable

Fatou Bensouda, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, says the court is closely keeping an eye on the developments from the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

In a statement posted by the ICC on it’s verified Twitter page on Thursday, Bensouda said the court has received allegations of crimes.

“My office has been closely following the events around the current protests in Nigeria and the reaction of Nigeria’s law enforcement and security agencies,” she said.

“Any loss of life and injury is concerning. We have received information alleging crimes and are keeping a close eye on developments, in case violence escalates and any indications arise that Rome Statute crimes may have been committed.

“I call for calm and restraint.”

#ICC Prosecutor #FatouBensouda on the recent violence in #Nigeria: “I call for calm and restraint.” ⬇ pic.twitter.com/kGee6TabLm

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) October 22, 2020

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The ICC is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal which has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the crimes of genocide; crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

Although the international court lacks universal territorial jurisdiction, it may only investigate and prosecute crimes committed within member states (of which Nigeria is part), nationals of member states or crimes in situations referred to the court by the United Nations Security Council.

As of 2:50pm on Thursday, 185,755 people have signed a petition asking the ICC to arrest and prosecute Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), for alleged crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also asked the ICC to probe security operatives involved in the killing of peaceful protesters across the country.