International Criminal Law · Analysis and Cases

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Situation in Nigeria



Situation Sheet · ICC

Situation in Nigeria

Jurisdiction

Rome Statute State Party · 27 September 2001
Initiation Proprio motu · 18 November 2010
Initiation of preliminary examination 18 November 2010
Status Preliminary Examination · Ongoing

Context

The OTP has examined information regarding a wide range of alleged crimes committed on the territory of Nigeria since 2010. While the Office's preliminary examination has primarily focused on alleged crimes committed by Boko Haram since July 2009 and by the Nigerian Security Forces since the beginning of the non-international armed conflict between the Nigerian Security Forces and Boko Haram since June 2011, it has also examined alleged crimes falling outside the context of this conflict. Since 2015, the preliminary examination also focused on the existence and genuineness of national proceedings in relation to these crimes.

Cases

No cases have been brought before the Court in connection with this situation.

Comment

The preliminary examination was concluded in 2020, having found a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity had been committed in Nigeria. Following this conclusion, the Office of the Prosecutor engaged with the Nigerian authorities to encourage effective, genuine and meaningful national investigations and prosecutions with respect to the alleged conduct identified. In April 2022, Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC visited Nigeria to discuss the situation in person, reminding Nigerian authorities of their obligations under the Rome Statute. Since then, the Office has maintained continuous and constructive engagement with the national authorities.

Key Documents

Opening statement Statement of the Prosecutor on the Situation in Nigeria
Article 5 report Article 5 Report on the Situation in Nigeria (2013)
Conclusion of preliminary examination Statement of the Prosecutor on the Conclusion of the Preliminary Examination in Nigeria (2020)
ICC case page Official ICC page — Situation in Nigeria