A Nigerian Human rights group, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, urging it to prosecute international human rights group, Amnesty International for alleged crimes against humanity relating to act of terrorism in Nigeria
In the letter of petiton written by its legal representative, Associate Solicitor Elke Zipperer,
SHAC accused amnesty international of unjustifiably meddling with the security affairs of Nigeria as a sovereign nation.
The petioners which cited various ICC statute to back its claims, stressed that AI has flagrantly and repeatedly violated articles 5 (1) (b), 7 (1) (a), 7 (1) (b) and 7 (1) (f) of the Rome Statute and therefore warrants this Criminal Complaint which itself constitutes “a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation” under Article 15 (3) of the Rome Statute.
The solicitor said it is pettioning AI in line with paragraph 5 of the Preamble to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court which came into force on 1st July, 2002 (simply called the “Rome Statute”) that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished.
The petioners as represented by Elke Zipperer based their complaint on the belief that Amnesty International has been unjustifiably meddling with the security affairs of Nigeria as a sovereign nation.
“Our client is aggrieved that the blatant blackmail and defamation of the Nigerian state by Amnesty International through its damning reports have stopped authorities of the United States of America from selling arms and ammunition to Nigeria for purposes of military protective duties. This goes to prove beyond every iota of doubt that the organization is working for terrorist merchants as it aims at dampening the morale of Nigerian military, thus boosting the enemy.
“We submit that prima facie cases of aiding and abetting illicit killings by Boko Haram, blackmail and defamation have been established against Amnesty International vide this Criminal Complaint for which the International Criminal Court can investigate, prosecute and mete out appropriate sanctions” the petitioner stated.
The petitioner requested that the ICC Prosecutor therefore opens an investigation of the Accused on her own accord under Article 15 (1) of the Rome Statute
Other requests includes, “That the ICC Prosecutor also formally “submit to the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC a request for authorization of an investigation” of the Accused under Article 15 (3) of the Rome Statute;
“That the ICC Prosecutor obtain International Arrest Warrants for the Accused from the ICC in accordance with Articles 58 (1) (a), 58 (1) (b) (i), 58 (1) (b) (ii) and 58 (1) (b) (iii) and proceed to arrest the Accused so they can face their trial.
“That the ICC Prosecutor compels the Accused upon conviction to pay compensation to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the sum of $1,000,000,000 (One Billion US Dollars) as punitive damage for defamation.”
