AGF restates Nigeria’s devotion to global rights standards

The Government has expressed commitment to the highest standards of adherence to human rights, in the actions of all her international affairs, including counter insurgency operations against Boko Haram in the nation.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the pledge when he received a delegation from Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, Madame Fatou Bensouda, in Abuja.

Salihu Othman Isah, in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Marketing, the AGF promised the delegation that Nigeria will continue to fulfill its duties to the court, and has high value because of its relationships with the ICC.

Malami also disclosed the Nigeria Army has conducted its operations in an extremely professional way in the Northeast area, imbibing the best practices in the areas of humanitarian law and international human rights.

Follow this link to find out more about newsnow Naija - That website has fast breaking news about the federal republic of Nigeria. He also disclosed that he was mindful of the eight case files opened against Nigeria by the ICC, which the prosecutor intends to inquire in her next period of evaluation of Nigerian scenario.

According to him, Boko Haram sect committed six of the alleged cases, while the remaining two were by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Let me reiterate that Nigeria keeps the sovereign capacity penalize and to investigate the alleged offenses referred to in the report, and will therefore continue current efforts in the direction that is preceding.’’

He further added that government is committed to ensuring that troops are guided by their rules of participation, assuring that any infractions will be seriously dealt with.

The minister however gave indication of the administration’s resoluteness to ensure respect for human rights by all, while staying unshaken and resolute in combating terrorism.



Responding, the leader of delegation, Phakiso Mocho Choko said the prosecutor doesn't mean to endanger the sovereign rights of Nigeria in investigating offenses and meting out punishment.

He divulged that most cases referred to the ICC were the ones host countries are unable to resolve through internal mechanism.

The prosecutor, through the delegation expressed support and openness to work with Nigeria, in addressing criminality against mankind and all identified offenses, but told that he was confident in continuing with their engagement.