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ICC Moves To Investigate Abduction Of School Children
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to seek authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber of the court to open an investigation into cases of abduction of school children in several parts of Northern Nigeria, closure of schools, and the persistent failure of Nigerian authorities at both the federal and state levels to end the abduction.
The ICC prosecutor’s decision followed a petition by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
This development was disclosed, yesterday, in a statement by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP had in the petition dated September 4, 2021, urged the ICC Prosecutor, Mr Karim A. A. Khan, QC, to “push for those suspected to be responsible and complicit in the commission of these serious crimes, to be invited and tried by the ICC.”
In the petition, SERAP argued that, “The severe and lifelong harms that result from depriving children the right to education satisfy the gravity of harm threshold under the Rome Statute.”
Responding, the ICC prosecutor in a letter with reference number OTP-CR-363/21, and dated October 22, 2021, confirmed to SERAP that “the criteria for opening an investigation into a string of abductions and closure of schools in some parts of Nigeria have been met.”
The letter signed on the prosecutor’s behalf by the Head of the Information and Evidence Unit, Mark P. Dillon, read in part: “On behalf of the prosecutor, I thank you for your communication received on 13/09/2021, as well as any subsequent related information.
“The preliminary examination of the petition is considered complete. Under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the next step in the judicial process is for the Prosecutor’s Office to prepare and submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorisation to open an investigation on Nigeria.
“Once submitted, the request will be made publicly available on the court’s website: www.icccpi.int.
“Your communication will be forwarded to the relevant team to be analysed, together with other related communications and other available information, in the context of any future investigations. We thank you for your interest in the ICC.”
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare said: “By this decision, the ICC prosecutor has taken a significant step toward ensuring that those suspected to be responsible for grave crimes against Nigerian schoolchildren are exposed, and held to account.
“The victims of these crimes deserve justice. Impartial justice and reparation will deal a decisive blow to impunity of perpetrators, and improve access of Nigerian children to education. SERAP will work closely with the ICC to achieve these important objectives.”
SERAP’s petition to the ICC prosecutor, read in part: “Senior government officials know well or ought to know that their failure to prevent these crimes will violate the children’s human rights and dignity.
“The absence of any tangible and relevant investigation or prosecution in Nigeria suggests that the authorities are unwilling or unable to carry out genuine investigation or prosecution of those suspected to be responsible for and complicit in the abduction of students.
“The consequences of persistent abductions of students, closure of schools, and the failure to provide safe and enabling learning environments despite federal and state authorities yearly budgeting some N241.2billion of public funds as ‘security votes’, are similar to those of the offences in article 7(1).
“More than 10,000 schools have been reportedly closed in at least seven northern states over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff. The states are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Yobe.
“Among the string of abductions in Zamfara was the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in the town of Jangebe in February. The latest abduction comes after widespread reports of abduction of students and closure of schools in many states of Nigeria, including in North-Central Niger State where some 91 school children were abducted.
“An estimated 1.3million Nigerian children have been affected by frequent raids on schools by suspected terrorists. Some 13million Nigerian children are out of school nationwide. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 1,000 students have been abducted from schools in northern Nigeria since December 2020.
“Families and parents have reportedly resulted to paying the terrorists thousands of dollars as ransom to secure the release of their children. An estimated $18.34million was reportedly paid in ransoms between June, 2011 and the end of March, 2020.
“Nigerian authorities have also failed and/or neglected to satisfactorily address the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014, which prompted the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. According to reports, more than 100 of those girls are still missing.”
Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on September 27, 2001, thus giving the court jurisdiction over crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed on its territory or by its nationals.
The ICC prosecutor decided to seek an investigation after undertaking a preliminary examination of the cases of abduction of children in the country.
A three-member panel of ICC pre-trial judges will consider whether to grant the prosecutor’s request, once it is submitted, to let the ICC step in as a court of last resort.
Judges will rely on the materials submitted by the prosecution to determine whether there is a “reasonable basis” to proceed.
Victims and their families may also make their views known to the pre-trial chamber.
If the investigation identifies suspected perpetrators of the crimes alleged in SERAP’s petition, prosecutors can ask judges to issue international arrest warrants, which can remain under seal to help authorities apprehend those charged.
As an international court of last resort, the ICC is mandated to bring to justice people suspected to be responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
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Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
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11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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