A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIAN COALITION ON THE
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (NCICC) AT THE CLOSE OF A
WEEK-LONG ACTIVITIES ON THE ICC SUPPORTED BY THE HUMAN
RIGHTS WATCH (HRW), COALITION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT (CICC), CANADIAN DEPARTMENT FOR FOREIGN
AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (DFAIT) AND THE GERMAN
EMBASSY IN NIGERIA.

The Nigerian Coalition on the International Criminal
Court (NCICC) organised a series of activities on the
ICC for the different sectors of the Nigerian Society
in Abuja and Lagos from the 11th to 16th of November
2002. The activities included a workshop for public
officers, a roundtable with parliamentarians, a
symposium for legal professionals, the academia and
students, and an advocacy workshop for NGOs.
The objectives of the activities are:-

1. To create awareness of the International Criminal
Court which came into effect on July 1, 2002 and of
the Rome Statute establishing the Court.

2. To encourage and promote the domestication of the
Rome Statute and ensure smooth implementation of the
ICC Treaty in Nigeria.

Some of the issues discussed at these fora are:

1. Nigeriaís Conflicting Laws with the ICC ñ Balancing
the Pendulum

2. National Implementation Strategies for the ICC ñ A
Comparative Analysis

3. ICC ñ Ensuring Justice for Women

4. Nomination, Election and Remuneration of Judges
5. State Cooperation with the ICC
6. Rome Statute ñ Perspective and Challenges for Law
makers
7. Complimentarity Clause and the Challenges of the
Failing Criminal Justice System

Participants and the Nigerian Coalition observe as
follows:
a. That the ICC will fill a significant void in the
international legal system.
b. That the ICC will fulfil two objectives.
iii. safeguarding higher values such as protection of
human rights ñ an obligation that transcends state
borders.
iv. accountability for those responsible for the
commission of serious crimes so as to put an end to
impunity.
c. That there is need for civil society/government
partnership on the implementation of the Rome Statute
in Nigeria.
d. That there are inconsistencies between the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the
Evidence Act, Criminal Procedure Law, Diplomatic
Immunities & Privileges Act with the Rome Statute.

Participants and the Coalition commend the Federal
Government for taking the positive initiative to
ratify the Rome Statute and subsequently commencing
the process of its domestication in view of Nigeriaís
long history of military dictatorship, unstable
democracy, human rights abuses and impunity.
Participants and the NCICC raised concern over the
lack of transparency, openness and civil society input
in the process adopted by the Federal Government in
nominating her candidate for the position of a judge
in the ICC in the election to be held in February
2003.

Participants hereby recommend as follows:
1. That government should comply strictly with the
provisions of the Rome Statute.
2. That there is need for an overhaul of the Nigerian
criminal justice system to enable it play a primary
role in the implementation of the statute
3. That there is the need to amend our laws to bring
them in conformity with the provisions of the ICC
Statute.
4. That the National Assembly and the State Houses of
Assembly should conduct a public hearing on the
domestication of the Rome Statute.
5. That under no condition should Nigeria enter into a
bilateral agreement with the US or any country
whatsoever that will frustrate the ICC on the basis of
ëArticle 98í of the Rome Statute.
6. That Nigerian politicians should take up the
challenge of the ICC implementation as an election
issue.
7. That there should be collaboration between
government and civil society in popularising the Rome
Statute.
8. That the government should set up an independent
national body to be headed by a national director for
the purposes of investigation and prosecution of ICC
crimes.

SIGNED

Oby Nwankwo
CIRDDOC, Nigeria)
Chair, CommuniquÈ Committee

Tola Winjobi D. Ph.D
(CAFSO, Nigeria)
Secretary, CommuniquÈ Committee

Sindi Meda-Gould
BAOBAB, Nigeria) Chair, NCICC

Onyeka Obasi (LEDAP) ñ Member
Sina Loremikan (CDHR) ñ Member
Willy Mamah (HURILAWS) ñ Member
Benson Olugbuo (IHRLG) - Member