The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to stop what it describes as an “unfair” investigation into the Nigerian military’s alleged human rights violations in the fight against insurgency.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this request at the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

Fagbemi emphasized that the 14-year preliminary examination by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor has been demoralizing to the Nigerian military, who are risking their lives to defend the country against terrorists.

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He maintained that Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to promoting justice and ending terrorism, and has consistently engaged with the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor to ensure accountability for any military personnel found guilty of misconduct.

The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s establishment of an independent Special Investigative Panel to address allegations against the military, which found no evidence to substantiate claims of killings, torture, and recruitment of underage fighters.

Fagbemi expressed concern over the ICC’s seemingly predetermined stance on the Nigerian military, despite the country’s efforts to investigate and prosecute serious crimes.

He also called on all states parties to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions and congratulated the newly elected members of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims.

“Nigeria stands firm with fellow state parties in the shared commitment to ending impunity for the world’s most serious crimes,” Fagbemi said.