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ICC acknowledges petition to investigate election violence, ethnic incitement in Nigeria

Vincent Ufuoma
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ICC acknowledges petition to investigate election violence, ethnic incitement in Nigeria

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has acknowledged a petition from one Gideon Christian, requesting an investigation into election and post-election violence in Nigeria, including alleged incitement to ethnic hate by Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson of President-elect Bola Tinubu.

The acknowledgement letter, dated March 27, 2023, with reference number OTP-CR-109/23, was signed by Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information & Evidence Unit, Office of The Prosecutor.

The letter stated that the Office of the Prosecutor would consider the communication, as appropriate, per the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

However, the letter emphasised that the acknowledgement did not mean an investigation had been opened or that the Office of the Prosecutor would open an investigation. The letter stated that the Office would inform the petitioner of any decision reached in writing and provide reasons for the decision.

The petitioner, Christian, in his petition titled: ‘Request to Investigate the Election and Post-Election Violence in Nigeria as Well as Incitement to Ethnic Hate by Mr. Bayo Onanuga’, invited the Office of the Prosecutor to conduct an investigation into a series of ethnically motivated violence resulting in injuries and death during the just concluded presidential and governorship elections in Nigeria.

Christian alleged that Onanuga issued a threat on Twitter warning individuals from the Igbo ethnic group that 2023 should be the last time they would be interfering in Lagos politics.

He said promoting attacks against individuals from a particular ethnic group residing in a particular area clearly violated international law, adding that the international community must not only take action to prevent such acts from reoccurring but should also hold individuals involved in such wrongdoing accountable.

The petition was brought pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute and stated that the European Union Election Observer Mission in Nigeria, which observed both elections, noted multiple incidents of “organized violent attacks,” resulting in “many casualties and fatalities.”

Christian said the incidents were the results of incitement to ethnic hatred by Nigerian politicians and their agents who actively (directly and indirectly) incited groups of individuals to inflict harm on other individuals from a targeted ethnic group (the Igbo), as well as individuals who “look like” people from that ethnic group.

He said that Onanuga, a very influential journalist turned politician and now director of media and publicity in the ruling political party’s presidential campaign organisation, issued a threat on Twitter, warning individuals from the Igbo ethnic group that 2023 should be the last time they will be interfering in Lagos politics.

He said that statement was issued after individuals from this ethnic group had been attacked and killed in Lagos during the governorship election and that the attacks continued after Onanuga’s tweet.

Christian said Onanuga’s concept of interference arose from the legitimate act by individuals from the Igbo ethnic group in Lagos in exercising their constitutional right to vote anywhere in Nigeria.

He stated that what was more disturbing about Onanuga’s tweet was the threat of future harm to individuals from the Igbo ethnic group in future elections in Nigeria.

The ICC is an international tribunal established to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Nigeria ratified the Rome Statute establishing the ICC in 2001 and is, therefore, a state party to the treaty.

The acknowledgement letter from the ICC does not automatically mean an investigation will be opened, as the Office of the Prosecutor will need to review the petition and determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation.

If the ICC decides to investigate, it will be the first time the court will look into election-related violence in Nigeria, which has a history of politically motivated violence and electoral irregularities.

In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed several incidents of election-related violence, including the 2011 presidential elections that resulted in over 800 deaths.

The 2023 elections were also marred by violence, with reports of ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and clashes between rival political parties.

Many Nigerians have expressed frustration with the country’s electoral system, which they believe is plagued by corruption, vote-buying, and violence.

The ICC has been criticized in the past for the manner it handles cases, with some accusing the court of bias against African nations.

However, the court has defended its actions, stating that it is committed to upholding international law and ensuring justice is served for victims of crimes under its jurisdiction.

The ICC has opened investigations on several African nations, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Libya.

Naira Scarcity: Ngige, Emefiele, NLC meet over planned strike

Ijeoma OPARA
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Naira Scarcity: Ngige, Emefiele, NLC meet over planned strike

MINISTER of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige has met with the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the strike being planned by the union.

The Minister called the meeting on Monday, March 27 to address the impending action by the NLC, set to commence today over the scarcity of naira notes, among other challenges in the country.

The NLC was represented by a delegation of 10 people, including the Congress’ president Joe Ajaero, while the CBN Governor attended with two of his deputies – Kingsley Obiora and Ade Shonubi.

Ngige noted that as part of his efforts to resolve the challenges faced by Nigerians over the naira notes scarcity, he had forwarded a letter received from the Congress to the CBN Governor for immediate action.

He said this in reaction to allegations by the NLC that his ministry had made no efforts to address the issue.

Acknowledging receipt of the letter, Emefiele said funds had been made available to commercial banks to resolve the scarcity, which had persisted across the country over the past two months. He also noted that bank staff were directed to work during the weekends to hasten the even spread of cash.

The NLC president, however, stated that relevant stakeholders were not carried along in implementing the CBN policy, which left many Nigerians confused and agitated.

“NLC could not have stopped CBN from taking good decisions and implementing them in the interest of the nation. If stakeholders were invited and briefed on the policy, when the people complain, NLC would explain everything to them. But in this case, the CBN did it alone. Moreover, it is a wrong time for administering such a national policy,” Ajaero said.

He called for a bridge in the communication gap over the naira policy and assured that the Congress’ National Executive Committee would meet on Tuesday, March 28, to take a decision over the impending strike.

On Wednesday, March 22, workers across the country had been sensitised by the NLC to prepare for a nationwide strike.

Ajaero, who made the announcement, said people had been pushed to the wall, as the unavailability of cash had resulted in unbearable hardship for workers across the country.

Domestic worker sentenced to death for killing grandma, daughter

Vincent Ufuoma
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Domestic worker sentenced to death for killing grandma, daughter

A DOMESTIC worker, Joseph Ogbu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The judgment was passed by Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay, who found the convict guilty of three counts of armed robbery and murder on Monday, February 27.

The case involved the killing of Adejoke John, an 89-year-old grandmother, and her daughter, Oreoluwa, at their home in the Surulere area of Lagos in 2019.

The Lagos State government had arraigned Ogbu on October 22, 2019, on three counts of armed robbery and murder under sections 222 and 297 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Ogbu had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution argued that Ogbu strangled Adejoke and stabbed Oreoluwa, who was pregnant at the time, to death on June 19, 2019, while robbing the duo.

Ogbu had robbed the victims of a Toyota Camry Saloon car, an LG plasma TV, a motorway handset, a Gionee handset, a Nokia phone, an Itel phone, and a power bank.

During the trial, the judge heard from witnesses, including a security guard, an Okada man, a house help, and a policeman.

Ogbu admitted to living with the deceased mother and daughter and was the only witness to the incident.

The judge also noted that the defendant did not raise any objections to the admissibility of his confessional statement.

Justice Nicole-Clay held that the defendant confessed to the crimes and could not provide an explanation for the stolen items found in his possession when he was arrested.

In her judgment, the judge found the evidence presented to be convincing and established Ogbu’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She subsequently pronounced him guilty as charged.

In his allocution, the defence counsel, Moses Enema, described the defendant as a first-time offender and requested the court to temper justice with mercy.

But the judge went ahead to sentence the convict to death by hanging.

Super Eagles defeat Guinea Bissau, reclaim top spot in qualifier group

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Super Eagles defeat Guinea Bissau, reclaim top spot in qualifier group

THE Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau in their second meeting to reclaim the top spot of their group in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Super Eagles defeated Guinea Bissau by a lone goal at the Estadio 24 de September on Monday, March 27.

The Nigerian national football team was able to secure three points with a goal from a penalty kick by Moses Simon.

With nine points from four games and two points above Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian national team has reclaimed the top spot in the group.

The Eagles will play Sierra Leone in June and host Sao Tome and Principe in their final match of the qualification series.

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The top two teams in the group will automatically secure tickets for the African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast in 2024.

The ICIR earlier reported that Nigerians expressed disappointment when the Super Eagles lost to Guinea Bissau last week.

The Super Eagles lost the match by a lone goal at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Galaxy Backbone seeks EFCC’s collaboration on cyber security

Bankole ABE
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Galaxy Backbone seeks EFCC’s collaboration on cyber security

THE Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Muhammad Bello Abubakar, has called for a working relationship and active collaboration between the agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in training and cyber security.

Abubakar made the call in Abuja on Monday, March 27, while on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission.

He said the organisation was desirous of exploring possibilities of collaboration with the EFCC in the areas of cyber security, storage of data and personnel training.

“We give training, particularly Information Communication Technology, ICT, training, which I believe organizations like the EFCC would want to explore to train their personnel to keep them abreast of the current cyber security challenges”, he said.
He congratulated the EFCC on the successes and achievements recorded since the Chairman assumed the leadership of the Commission.

“I will start by congratulating the Chairman on the achievements and the successes he has recorded since his appointment as the Executive Chairman of the Commission.

“It was truly a very wise decision for the government to have a pioneer cadet of the Commission as the head of the EFCC,” Abubakar said.

In his response, Bawa said the EFCC could not have recorded the referenced successes without leveraging technology in its daily activities, ranging from case file management system and human resources management to creating a corruption reporting application, Eagle Eye App, among others.

“There is no way we can do this kind of job here without leveraging ICT… One of the things we have done is developing software that could, in the long run, make us paperless,” he said.

He called for what he described as the creation of an e-governance structure that would ensure that most ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, of government are integrated electronically.

The Federal Government of Nigeria owns 100 per cent of the information and communications technology services business Galaxy Backbone.

It was created in 2006 to pursue a coordinated and unified strategy for procuring, operating, and using information and communications technology in the Public sector.

PDP crisis: Court stops Ayu from parading as chairman

Bankole ABE
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PDP crisis: Court stops Ayu from parading as chairman

A HIGH court in Benue State has stopped Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the National Chhairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Wilfred Kpochi granted the order after hearing an ex-parte application filed before the court.

The ex-parte application was brought by Conrad Utaan, who sought an order to stop Ayu and the PDP from parading the former as its chairman, having lost party membership.

Justice Kpochi explained that he granted the temporary injunction requested by the applicant after considering the issues raised in the written address.

The matter was adjourned to April 17, 2023, for hearing.

Ayu was suspended on Sunday, March 27, by the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State for alleged anti-party activities.

Reacting to the suspension, Ayu declared that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the constitutional powers to suspend him.

The PDP national chairman stated that there was no constitutional backing for any organ of the party or executive committee at either the ward, state or national levels to take disciplinary measures against any member of the party’s NEC.

Earth Journalism Network offers oceanic crime, ecoviolence investigation grants

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Earth Journalism Network offers oceanic crime, ecoviolence investigation grants

EARTH Journalism Network’s Mediterranean Media Initiative is inviting applications for its reporting grants.

The grants aim to support investigations that seek to expose unauthorized fishing by industrial or semi-industrial vessels, as well as other harmful environmental practices impacting the marine environment.

Five grants of up to EUR4,000 will be awarded.

In addition to the grants, journalists will participate in a 90-minute webinar featuring investigation and thematic experts, have access to satellite tracking, and illegal fishing, and thematic experts able to cross-reference data and evidence, if required; complete a tutorial in evidence cross-referencing of satellite data, and more.

Only applications in English or French will be accepted. Teams of journalists can also apply.

Journalists from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea can apply for a grant.

The deadline for submission of applications is March 31, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Rest of World offers labor, tech reporting fellowship

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Rest of World offers labor, tech reporting fellowship

REST of World is accepting applications for its Labor x Tech Reporting Fellowship.

The program is designed to engage reporters who have a basic understanding of their regions’ tech and business landscape.

Four selected fellows will become part of the Rest of the World’s reporting team. They will help to shape storytelling by contributing original story ideas and working with the Rest of the World’s reporters and editors based around the world.

The yearlong fellowship begins in May. Fellows will receive a US$40,000 stipend.

Journalists from the following countries can apply: Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile.

Journalists from South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America are eligible for this reporting fellowship.

The deadline for the submission of applications is April 7, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

29 African migrants heading for Italy drown in the Mediterranean

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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29 African migrants heading for Italy drown in the Mediterranean

AT least 29 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean to Italy.

The Tunisian Coast Guard disclosed this on Sunday, March 26.

Tunisia has taken over from Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.

Two boats conveying the migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia, bringing the number of sunk boats in the last week to five.

A  senior official in the national guard Houssem Jebabli, told Reuters that the Tunisian Coast Guard had also rescued 11 people off the coast of Mahdia, further north.

The Coast Guard said it had stopped about 80 boats heading for Italy in the past four days and detained more than 3,000 migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan African countries.

The latest loss of life comes amidst a clampdown on undocumented Sub-Saharan Africans by the Tunisian authorities.

According to United Nations data, at least 12,000 migrants who reached Italy this year set sail from Tunisia, compared with 1,300 in the same period of 2022.

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