#EndSARS: ICC begins probe into ‘crimes’ committed during protests

The International Criminal Court, ICC, has disclosed that it has opened a preliminary investigation into the demonstrations against harassment and brutality by the police, #EndSARS protests.

The office of the ICC said it had received information on alleged crimes during the protests, which were organised under the #EndSARS campaign.

The ICC said the inquiry will begin with “whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met”.

The development is coming after a number of civil society organisations (CSO) threatened to report some heads of security agencies to the ICC over the conduct of their personnel during the demonstrations, popularly called #EndSARS protests.

However, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, has since dismissed the threats to report him and some heads of security agencies to the ICC and other international authorities.

“They have continually threatened to report the NA to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families,” Buratai had said.

“Criminal elements are threatening us with travel ban but we are not worried because we must remain in this country to make it better.”