The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civic organization, has lodged a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. They are calling for the apprehension and trial of Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State, Nigeria, on charges of committing crimes against humanity. The allegations stem from his deliberate failure to pursue justice for the murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian female student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto. Samuel was stoned to death by her classmates in May 2022, purportedly for blasphemy, yet no convictions have been made by the Sokoto State government.
HURIWA’s petition, submitted to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, invokes Article 15 of the Rome Statute, which has been ratified by Nigeria. The organization specifically requests the arrest and prosecution of Governor Tambuwal, who held office at the time of Deborah’s killing.
The petition argues that every Nigerian citizen’s right to life is safeguarded by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, except as provided therein. It further contends that Section 204 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits blasphemy, fails to meet constitutional standards in light of the protections for freedom of religion and freedom of speech outlined in Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution, respectively.
Although the responsibility for criminal prosecution lies with the Nigerian Police, headed by a Commissioner of Police in each state, the petition highlights that each state governor serves as the Chief Security Officer of their respective state and has operational control over the police. Additionally, each state, including Sokoto State, has a Ministry of Justice overseen by an Attorney-General, who possesses full prosecutorial powers for crimes committed within their jurisdiction, including murder.
Consequently, the petition asserts that the primary responsibility for apprehending and prosecuting the fanatics responsible for Miss Deborah Samuel’s murder falls upon Governor Aminu Tambuwal. HURIWA emphasizes that Tambuwal’s lackadaisical approach to this grave moral and criminal predicament sets a dangerous precedent and may embolden other offenders to commit similar crimes with impunity.
Based on these circumstances, HURIWA urges the ICC to promptly arrest and prosecute Mr. Tambuwal.
