ICC begins preliminary investigations into Lekki shootings

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The International Criminal Court has confirmed to the BBC that it’s conducting a preliminary examination into the recent #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

In a statement, the office of the ICC prosecutor said it had received information on alleged crimes committed on the 20th of October 2020 now tagged #Lekki massacre of 20/10/20.

The examination will “assess whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met”.

For weeks crowds of peaceful protesters gathered in streets in major cities of the country to demonstrate against police brutality, leading to a brutal crackdown on protesters and the media.

Some 51 civilians, 11 police officers and seven soldiers were killed, according to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

Rights group Amnesty International said security forces opened fire on protesters, killing and injuring a number of people but both the police and the army have rejected Amnesty’s allegation.

The Nigerian Army later disclosed that it’s personnel were at the Lekki toll gate after initial denials but it stated that they didn’t shoot anyone despite video evidences.

The ICC said it would make findings of the preliminary examination public.

Meanwhile the Landlord of the premises the Nigerian Embassy in Hungary is situated has threatened to throw out the Embassy on these claims

Source: BBC Africa

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