Nigerian judge asks ICC to hold perpetrators accountable

A Nigerian judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Lady Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to  hold to account perpetrators of heinous crimes in the world.

Justice Anukam said by holding the perpetrators of crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression, the ICC ensures that justice is served, prevents further crimes from occurring, hence contributing to sustainable peace, security and development.

She spoke at the opening of the ICC judicial year 2024 at the court’s headquarters at The Hague, Netherlands, which was streamed live.

“The court is a permanent and international court established to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole,” she said.

Tourism can be Nigeria’s next oil – Runsewe

Powerful Nigerians were behind banditry – Alake

Anukam, who delivered the keynote address, noted that the judiciary should, through their pronouncements as an impartial arbiter, instill a sense of public confidence, trust and social cohesion.

The President of the ICC, Judge Piotr Hofmański, who described last year as intense, called on states to step up their efforts to execute the outstanding arrest warrants.

He said, “2023 was an extremely intense year for the ICC, both as regards judicial proceedings as well as investigations and reparations. This heavy workload will continue in 2024. What we would hope to see, of course, is more suspects in custody.”