Onanuga: Petition Against Tinubu's Spokesman Accepted By International Criminal Court

The petition to investigate the Media Director of APC's Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, has been formally received and acknowledged by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On Monday, the ICC had been petitioned by a Nigerian Law Professor named Dr Gideon Christian over the recent attacks on some tribes, especially Igbos in Lagos and those bearing resemblance to them in the just concluded elections.

In the petition titled “Request to Investigate the Election and Post-Election Violence in Nigeria as Well as Incitement to Ethnic Hate by Mr Bayo Onanuga”, Christian urged the prosecutor to probe the violence resulting in injuries and death at the polls.

According to the petitioner, Onanuga issued a threat on Twitter warning Igbos that 2023 should be the last time they would be interfering in Lagos politics. 

Dr Christian stated that the above is a clear violation of international law.

He added that the international community must not only take action to prevent such acts from reoccurring but should also hold individuals involved in such international wrongdoing accountable.

Acknowledging the petition, the ICC disclosed that due consideration would be given in accordance with the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court.

It also pointed out that the acknowledgement letter does not mean an investigation will commence or has already begun.

The ICC added that the petitioner would be informed when a decision has been made.

“This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. 

“We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court.

“Please note this acknowledgement letter does not mean an investigation has been opened, or that an investigation will be opened by the Office of the Prosecutor. 

“As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision”, it noted.