More than 40 members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect have been convicted for terrorism-related crimes, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke has said.
Speaking at the opening of an International seminar on ‘Observance of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Internal Security Operations in Abuja’, Adoke said the prosecutions were done in accordance with the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 as amended in 2013.
At the seminar, which was declared opened by President Goodluck Jonathan and was co-hosted by the Offices of Attorney-General of the Federation and National Security Adviser (NSA), he praised the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies for their efforts in stemming the tide of terrorism in the country.
“The military has been effective in maintaining law and order, and restoring normalcy to many crisis areas in the country. But the intervention sometimes attracts negative reactions from affected communities on account of loss of lives and alleged use of excessive force, such as the cases in Odi, Bayelsa, and Zaki Biam, Benue where damages were awarded against Nigeria in billions of Naira by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Allegations of human rights abuses and non-adherence to applicable rules of engagement levelled against those involved in quelling crises coupled with adverse reports from human rights advocates have tended to put the country in the spotlight in the international community.
“The sad events that occurred in Odi in Bayelsa in 2001 and Zaki Biam in Benue, also in 2001, led to the award of damages against the Federal Government. The court awarded N37 billion against the Federal Government in respect of Odi incident and N42 billion for the Zaki Biam incident, which was later negotiated to N8 billion naira”.
Adoke lamented that the consequences of the extra-judicial killing of Yusuf Mohammed, Borno State Boko Haram leader in 2009 still lingers on despite the N100 million compensation that the courts ordered government to pay to the deceased’s family.He explained that government cannot afford to continue bearing the huge financial liabilities, especially in the light of its increasing responsibilities and dwindling resources. He also revealed that acts of violence Kaduna, Plateau, the Niger Delta and the North-Eest had been under preliminary analysis by ICC.
“The prosecutor’s report of 5th August 2013 established that the Boko Haram sect was carrying out crimes against humanity as prescribed under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, particularly murder and persecution”, Adoke said.
“The prosecutor has since proceeded to the admissibility stage of determining whether Nigeria is willing and able to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes”.
He therefore implored members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to discharge their duties in accordance with the country’s laws and norms.
“As Attorney General, I am particularly concerned about the way and manner members of the Armed Forces discharge their responsibilities within the context of our current security challenges. I wish to reaffirm government’s determination to hold members of the Armed Forces as well as other security forces to the highest professional and ethical standards”, he said.
“They must adhere strictly to applicable rules of engagements and eschew act of impunity. I am pleased to observe that relevant human rights and international humanitarian law norms are mainstreamed in your curriculum and training manuals.
“I, therefore, wish to caution that any member of the Armed Forces found wanting in the observance of applicable rules of engagement during internal security operations would be held accountable. Military authorities should, therefore, ensure their officers and men are appropriately sensitised to ensure compliance”.
