The Nigerian Army on Tuesday reacted to the report that the International Criminal Court, ICC, has found it guilty of war crime.
In a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier
General Sani Usman Kukasheka, the army said, the publication was false
and misrepresentation of facts.
The statement reads: The attention of the Nigerian Army has been
drawn to a front page news story of a national daily with the headline
“NIGERIAN ARMY IS GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES -ICC”, written by one Austin
Oboh.
“According to the paper, “The International Criminal Court (ICC) has
ruled that Nigerian army is guilty of war crimes against humanity.” This
is not true. The Nigerian Army has not been accused of any wrong doing
let alone being arraigned before any court.
“It is therefore wrong and sheer mischief for any person, group or
newspaper to allege that the Nigerian Army has been found guilty of war
crimes.
“For the avoidance of doubt, yesterday, Monday 10th December 2018,
the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court
(ICC) presented the 2018 Report of her activities.
“Nowhere in the 78 page report entitled “Report of Preliminary
Examination Activities 2018” dated 5th December 2018, did she state that
the Nigerian Army is guilty of any crime let alone war crimes as the
newspaper alleged.
“Although, it is true that the OTP is currently investigating
allegations of human rights violations made against the Nigerian Army,
that investigation is still at its preliminary stages and does not
translate to standing trial, let alone being found guilty.
“The Nigerian Army is aware that the office of the OTP has requested
for additional information from the Federal Ministry of Justice to
enable it determine appropriate steps on how to proceed with the matter.
It therefore follows logically that a matter that has not been fully
investigated cannot be subject of a final pronouncement by the ICC.
“Please note that the Nigerian Army has been consistent in
cooperating with the Federal Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights
Commission and the several human rights investigative bodies established
by the Presidency to review its human rights footprints specifically in
the areas of operations including but not limited to the North East
Zone.
“Yesterday, Monday 10th December 2018 in commemoration of the
International Human Rights Day, the Chief of Army Staff issued a
statement affirming the commitment of the Nigerian Army to the promotion
and protection of Human Rights. In which he said that “the Nigerian
Army firmly believes that the promotion and protection of human rights
are an essential component of our military operations. We firmly embrace
the idea and the message behind the International Human Rights Day and
we are committed to doing our part to spread awareness and support for
human rights every day”.
“We are dismayed by the recklessness of the said newspaper in
publishing such a sensationally false story and giving it undue
prominence.
“A simple research on the website of the International Criminal Court
would have provided clarity on the issue. We urge journalists and
editors to consider the national security implications of this type of
publications. Our nation’s security should not be jeopardised by the
desire to sell publications or cause mischief.
“It is our hope that the newspaper will properly inform itself on the
inaccuracy of its story by setting the records straight and apologise
to the Nigerian Army,” the statement said.