ICC dismisses kidnapping petition, no probe against Nigeria – FG

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected an anonymous petition alleging systemic kidnappings in Nigeria as crimes against humanity, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced on Thursday. The petition, filed under Document No. ICC-RoC46(3)-01/26, was dismissed at the threshold by Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC on September 1, 2026, due to procedural deficiencies and lack of a legal basis.

Fagbemi expressed concern over the anonymous petition's initial processing by the court, stating it breached the ICC's procedural safeguards and cast an "unnecessary shadow over the integrity of the Court's judicial processes." Despite the dismissal, Nigeria plans to raise the issue with the ICC. The AGF emphasized that the power to evaluate information or request an investigation under the Rome Statute lies with the ICC Prosecutor or through formal referrals by State Parties or the UN Security Council.

Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the Rome Statute and international accountability while stressing that investigations into domestic crimes, including kidnapping and banditry, remain the responsibility of Nigerian law enforcement and judicial institutions.