The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on March 16 that Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s First Lady, is liable to prosecution.
This comes as a response to the All Progressives Congress petition to the global body in which the opposition accused Goodluck Jonathan’s wife of trying to incite violence by her statements.
Despite the PDP’s assurance that there was no reason for the ICC to probe Dame Patience, the body said it had started conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Nigeria, The Punch reports.
The Cable exclusively received an official confirmation from the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the ICC.
Despite the PDP’s assurance that there was no reason for the ICC to probe Dame Patience, the body said it had started conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Nigeria, The Punch reports.
The Cable exclusively received an official confirmation from the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the ICC.
Under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor of the
ICC may receive information on crimes within the jurisdiction on the
Court (also called ‘communications’).
“With regards to your enquiry, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court can confirm receipt of the communication referred to since the sender of the communication has made this fact public in the media.”
According to the report, the United Kingdom arm of the APC had claimed earlier on Monday that the criminal court would investigate the case.
“The ICC based in the Hague has sent confirmation to APC UK, that an investigation will begin against Mrs Jonathan who repeatedly called for the stoning of opposition APC members as captured in the videos released earlier this month.
“The criminal case investigation ICC reference number is: OTP-CR-83/15.”
The OTP also disclosed that the matter would be considered “as appropriate”.
“The Office will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as it does with all such communications.”
The same Monday was marked by an important message released by Fatou Bensouda, the ICC prosecutor. The document was made public by Vanguard:
“Following my statement of February 2, and my Office’s subsequent visit to Nigeria from of February 3 to 5, I reiterate my previous message.
“With regards to your enquiry, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court can confirm receipt of the communication referred to since the sender of the communication has made this fact public in the media.”
According to the report, the United Kingdom arm of the APC had claimed earlier on Monday that the criminal court would investigate the case.
“The ICC based in the Hague has sent confirmation to APC UK, that an investigation will begin against Mrs Jonathan who repeatedly called for the stoning of opposition APC members as captured in the videos released earlier this month.
“The criminal case investigation ICC reference number is: OTP-CR-83/15.”
The OTP also disclosed that the matter would be considered “as appropriate”.
“The Office will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as it does with all such communications.”
The same Monday was marked by an important message released by Fatou Bensouda, the ICC prosecutor. The document was made public by Vanguard:
“Following my statement of February 2, and my Office’s subsequent visit to Nigeria from of February 3 to 5, I reiterate my previous message.
At a time when abhorrent levels of violence already plague
parts of the country, I recall that the International Criminal Court
(‘ICC’ or the ‘Court’) has jurisdiction over Rome Statute crimes
committed on the territory of Nigeria.
“Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence in the context of the upcoming elections or otherwise— including by ordering, inciting, encouraging or contributing to the commission of crimes that fall within ICC’s jurisdiction— is liable to prosecution;
“Either by Nigerian courts or by the ICC. No one should doubt my Office’s resolve to prosecute individuals responsible for the commission of ICC crimes, whenever necessary.
“Violence is not a solution. The conduct and outcome of elections in Nigeria, free from violence, will not only prevent further instability in the country, but will also send a clear message that electoral competition does not have to result in violence and crimes that shock the conscience of humanity.”
It should be recalled that in one of her recent speeches, Patience Jonathan told Nigerians to “stone” any body who mentions “change”, which is actually associated with the opposition slogan.
“Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence in the context of the upcoming elections or otherwise— including by ordering, inciting, encouraging or contributing to the commission of crimes that fall within ICC’s jurisdiction— is liable to prosecution;
“Either by Nigerian courts or by the ICC. No one should doubt my Office’s resolve to prosecute individuals responsible for the commission of ICC crimes, whenever necessary.
“Violence is not a solution. The conduct and outcome of elections in Nigeria, free from violence, will not only prevent further instability in the country, but will also send a clear message that electoral competition does not have to result in violence and crimes that shock the conscience of humanity.”
It should be recalled that in one of her recent speeches, Patience Jonathan told Nigerians to “stone” any body who mentions “change”, which is actually associated with the opposition slogan.
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