ICC finalises Nigerian docket

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is finalising its investigations into a wide range of alleged crimes committed in Nigeria since 2010. Nigeria ratified the ICC instruments in 2001, giving the court jurisdiction over international human rights crimes. The Premium Times reports that it said Boko Haram and its leaders may have to answer for ‘targeted attacks against the civilian population, abductions and imprisonment of civilians, attacks against education (including schools, teachers, and schoolchildren), and recruitment and use of children to participate in hostilities’. In addition, possible crimes against the military and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) include ‘killings, torture or ill-treatment of military aged males suspected to be Boko Haram members or supporters in northeast Nigeria’. It said government officials could also stand trial for ‘attacks against the civilian population and recruitment and use of children under 15 to participate in hostilities’. The ICC has listed Nigeria as one of 11 countries being probed for alleged war and international human rights crimes. Other countries being probed include Venezuela, Colombia, Guinea, Iraq, the UK, Palestine, the Republic of Philippines, Ukraine and Bangladesh.