The Lagos State Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has said he has submitted his petition to the electoral tribunal .
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour made this statement while speaking on Arise TV on Friday.
He disclosed that taking his case on the intimidation and killings of voters in Lagos State on March 18, 2023 to the International Criminal Court, ICC.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour said the likes of MC Oluomo, Bayo Onanuga, the Oba of Elegushi, the Obas who declared Oro Festival to scare away voters are on the list of individuals reported to the International Criminal Court.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour explained that his move is to stop such intimidation and voters suppression on voters from happening again in Lagos State.
A group of lawyers working for the Labour Party and Rhodes-Vivour dragged the Tinubu and others to the ICC.
In a petition addressed to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, to which the attention of Karim A. A. Khan QC, the Prosecutor of the Court, was called, dated March 30, 2023.
Respondents in the petition apart from Tinubu are President Muhammadu Buhari; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Inspector General of Police; Chief of Military Intelligence; Deputy Inspector of General of Police; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo; Femi Fani Kayode; Bayo Onanuga; Sam Omatseye; Otunba Biodun Ajiboye; Reno Omokri; Dele Alake; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; and Baale of Igbara Jakande area in Eti-osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The petition, entitled: “Complaint and a request for the initiation of an investigation into crimes against humanity in Nigeria pursuant to Articles 13©, 15 & 53 of the Rome Statute, on the basis of information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court,” reads in full:
Dear Prosecutor,
We act for the following “Complainants/Petitioners” under whose instructions we address this complaint to you. They are:
Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour – The Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos State, Nigeria;
Princess Abiodun Oyefusi – The Labour Party Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos State, Nigeria;
Mr Emmanuel Adogbeji – Labour Party Election Agent in Lagos State, Nigeria;
Mr Ebere Chinedu – Labour Party member in Lagos State, Nigeria;
Mr Chukwudi – Lagos State, Nigeria;
Mr Austin Iruobe Asuerimen – Labour Party, Lagos State;
Mr Henry Ogheneovo Afiowor – Labour Party, Lagos State;
Dr Gladys C Nwankwo – Labour Party, Lagos State
Ms Chidinma – Labour Party, Lagos State
Mr Sunday Olakunle – Labour Party, Lagos State
Hon. Seyi Lawal – Labour Party, Lagos State
Mr Femi Badiah – Labour Party, Lagos State
Mr Raphael George – Labour Party, Lagos State
Specified Members of the Labour Party of Nigeria.
NB:
Other victims’ names shall be joined in due course, together with supplementary submissions.
They are citizens of Nigeria who are interested in the protection of human and civil rights in Nigeria. They are also members of the Labour Party; a leading political party contesting for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
This complaint is against the below-mentioned persons “Respondents” who have jointly and severally committed genocide and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. These persons and officials of the state of Nigeria are the subjects of the request for investigations and criminal charges and prosecution:
(a) Muhammadu Buhari – the President of Nigeria; and a member of All Progressive Congress “APC” the current political party in government;
(b) Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu – the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria; “APC”
(C) Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress “APC” (and whose full and further particulars are unknown)
(D) The Leaders of All Progressive Congress “APC – a political Party;
(E) The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police;
(f) Chief of Military Intelligence;
(g) Deputy Inspector of General of Police;
(h) The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State;
(i) Mr Musiliu Akinsanya (also known as MC Oluomo) – the chief thug of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and a member of APC
(j) Mr Femi Fani Kayode – a member of the APC
(k) Mr Bayo Onanuga – a member of APC
(l) Mr Sam Omatseye – a journalist
(m) Otunba Biodun Ajiboye – a member of the APC
(n) Mr Reno Omokri
(o) Mr Dele Alake – a member of APC
(p) Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and APC member
(q) Traditional ruler; the Baale of Igbara Jakande area in Eti-osa Local government area of Lagos State
The above-mentioned Respondents have jointly and collectively incited genocide and tribal conflicts in Nigeria during and around the 2023 general elections in Lagos State, Nigeria; and which incitement has resulted in deaths, grievous bodily harm and injuries, destruction of lives and properties.
We have compiled and are compiling the following documents for submission:
(a) A detailed complaint with specific particularity including online links to video, photos, and publications to support the allegations; and,
(b) A Schedule of Links which are, material evidence, reports and investigations by Human Rights Bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations “NGOs” for ease of reference.
(C) Nigeria is a signatory to the Rome Statute and it deposited at the UN its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute, thus becoming one of the first 60 State parties which contributed to the entry into force of the Rome Statute on 1st July 2012.
(D) In light of the gravity of the situation in Nigeria, in particular a history of continued repression including attacks on independent media, arrests and torture of opposition leaders and supporters, and a failure to prosecute those responsible for incitement of violence and extra-judicial killings, we strongly urge the Office of the Prosecutor to immediately use its power under Article 15 of the Rome Statute to initiate a preliminary investigation on “the basis of information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court” (Article 15(1)).
(E) A number of non-governmental organizations have conducted preliminary investigations and prepared reports that strongly suggest that crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been and are being committed. Credible information from “states’ organs of the United Nations, intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations and other reliable sources,” including eyewitness accounts (Article 15(2)), is readily and widely available. The “seriousness of the information” available is beyond doubt, which is why this complaint is aimed to call for accountability and justice. The reports are as detailed hereunder.
(f) The general elections in Nigeria were held on the 25th of February 2023, and on the 18th of March 2023; these are for the Presidential and the National Assembly elections, and the States Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections respectively. During these periods, the Respondents actively incited ethnic violence and crimes against humanity with brazen impunity; none of them have been arrested by the law enforcement agents in spite of the fact that their individual and collective conducts resulted in deaths, grievous bodily harm, destruction of lives and properties of victims.
NB:
(g) We shall compile more names of perpetrators and collate further evidence of crimes for onward submission to your office from time to time.
CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
As defined by the Rome Statute (Article 7), “crimes against humanity” means any of the following when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:
(a) Murder;
(b) Persecution against a group or collectivity based on its political, racial, national, ethnic or religious character;
(C) The crime of apartheid (inhumane acts committed in the context of an institutional regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over another racial group, with the intent to maintain that regime).
PARTICULARS OF CRIMES
There have been several incitements to ethnic violence, extra judicial killings, torture, physical assaults, abductions and gross abuse of human rights in Nigeria which include but are not limited to:
ORGANIZED VIOLENCE, ETHNIC BAITING, AND ATTACKS
(a) A few days before the election day, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu while addressing his supporters during a town hall meeting ordered his party members and his thugs to violently grab, snatch and run away with ballot boxes during elections; the plan was to denied Peter Obi and other Labour Party candidates their popular mandate. It might be argued that this conduct does not fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC, it is however evidence that the said conduct resulted in several casualties and fatalities to individuals. Herewith video evidence of Tinubu’s infamous address:
(i) Herewith a video where Tinubu inciting ethnic violence in Lagos:
i. Video of Tinubu Inciting Ethnic Violence in Lagos Election 2023
Translation: “These are people who left their villages, came into Lagos from childhood, 12 years of age. We accommodated and took care of them. Now, they want to bite the fingers that fed them”. He further said proverbially that “their case has now become that of hen”. When a western/Nigerian leader can express this much animosity against certain people in public, there’s trouble.
(ii) Video of Tinubu giving orders to APC members and thugs to grab, snatch and run away with ballot boxes
(b) Subsequent to Tinubu’s address, and on and about the 25 February 2023 being the Presidential election day, on 18 March 2023 being the Gubernatorial election day and post-election days; Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, Tinubu’s chief thug also known as MC Oluomo; his supporters and followers acting upon Tinubu’s orders and in compliance thereof took to the streets and unleashed mayhem in and around the country. Some of these barbaric incidents are as documented hereunder.
(c) Furthermore, also acting in concert with other Respondents, the following persons incited ethnic hatred and violence which resulted in injuries and deaths during and after the general elections in Nigeria.
These are: Mr Bayo Onanuga, a journalist member of the APC and the Director of Media and Publicity for Tinubu’s presidential campaign; Mr Femi Fani Kayode the Spokesman for Tinubu; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Mr Sam Omatseye a journalist in one of Tinubu’s media companies; Otunba Biodun Ajiboye a member of APC; Mr Dele Alake a member of APC and Reno Omokri:
(i) Herewith a link to a newspaper which reported that the government of the United Kingdom has collated names of people that incited violence and voter suppression for ease of reference.
(ii) Herewith a link to a newspaper report on MC Oluomo and Governor Yahaya Bello invitation by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission for inciting genocide.
(iii) Herewith a link to a newspaper report where Bayo Onanuga was telling people of Igbo tribe to steer clear of Lagos State.
(iv) Herewith a link to a newspaper report of Bayo Onanuga inciting ethnic violence.
(v) Herewith a video and newspaper links where MC Oluomo is threatening to kill opposition voters of different ethnic group living in Lagos should they not vote for APC.
Video of MC Oluomo threats to kill igbos in Lagos should they not vote for AAPC
(c) These attacks and incidents where the results of incitement to ethnic hatred by the Respondents, politicians and their agents who actively participated in these criminal acts, they supplied arms and ammunitions to their foot soldiers and incited them to kill and inflict grievous bodily harm on other individuals of different ethnic groups in Nigeria.
They further publicly warned members of other ethnic groups who reside in Lagos State not to show up to exercise their fundamental human rights on the election dates.
(E) On 19 March 2023, following the completion of the gubernatorial and other elections in Lagos State, the attacks on opposition party supporters continued after various ethnic baiting tweets by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Femi Fani Kayode, Reno Omokri and others.
These tweets had fuelled election and post-election violence against individuals from the specific ethnic group who were the target of the incitements, and therefore must be treated as crimes against humanity.
(f) The promotion of attacks and violence against targeted groups residing in a particular area is a clear violation of international law which falls within the jurisdiction of the ICC. The ICC is hereby called upon to take action and to prevent a repeat, and also to hold the perpetrators to account. The comments on their social media handles are nothing other than hate speech.
(g) Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inciting rhetoric about other ethnic groups living in Lagos State is largely responsible for the obvious suppression, oppression, attacks and killings witnessed during the recently concluded general elections in Nigeria.
There are material evidences of persons of non-Igbo tribes that suffered similar fate as the Igbo just because they look like the Igbo.
(h) The eerie silence, or rather the acquiescence of the Mr Sanwo-Olu the Executive Governor of Lagos State shows that he is complicit. There has not been any arrest made, and no one has been held responsible for these crimes. Mr. MC Oluomo is the Head Lagos State Park Management Agency which is a political appointment of the government of Lagos State; he was seen making open threats against people of other ethnic groups living in Lagos, there are videos of him inciting hate and violence against targeted individuals during the just concluded general elections in Lagos State. These proofs of organized crimes against humanity.
(i) The political attacks of the members of the Labour Party during a political rally in Lagos State on the 11th of February 2023 by the members and political thugs of the APC. They acted under the command of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Presidential candidate of the APC; and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
We have evidence of these attacks on video and the links are hereunder for your perusal:
(i) Video attack on Bus of Labour Party Lagos
(ii) Video attack on Bus 2 Labour Party
(iii) Video attack on Bus 3 Labour Party
(iv) Video attack on Labour Party in Lagos
(j) Further, on 15th of February 2023 at Aguda in Surulere area of Lagos State, there were brutal attacks on the Labour Party Deputy Governorship candidate, Princess Oyefusi and her campaign entourage. These attacks occurred under the watch of law enforcement agents who stood idly and without doing anything.
They are vicariously liable and complicit. One wonders why they did not carry out their duty of “to serve and protect” citizens and properties. Herewith, a video link of one of those injured in the process for ease of reference:
Video attack on Princess Oyefusi campaign train on 15 Feb
(v) On 11th of February 2023 Mr Bamidele Akpata a Labour Party was brutalized near Femi Okunnu Estate at Jakande, Lekki area of Lagos State during a Labour Party political rally. They were gathered peacefully when APC men with all kinds of weapons arrived in a bus, suddenly came down from it and brutally assaulted them. Some of the victims sustained various degree of injuries in addition to losing valuable items during the attack. Herewith video evidence of the attack:
Video attack on Labour Party at Jakande Lagos
(k) On 11th February 2023 at Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island, members of the Labour Party were attacked, brutalized and their buses vandalized by APC thugs on their way to a political rally. These attacked happened under the watch and command of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the State Commissioner of Police; the national Inspector General of Police, and the national and state leadership of the APC. Herewith, video evidence of the said attack for ease of reference:
Video attack on Labour Party in Lagos 2
(l) A certain traditional ruler; the Baale of Igbara Jakande area in Eti-osa Local government area of Lagos who happens to be a member of APC release an audio material in which he made a death threat to people should they cast their votes against APC.
Herewith a newspaper report on the threat audio material for ease of reference.
(m) The political attacks of members of the Labour Party at their homes and political offices in Ebonyi State by members and political thugs of the APC under the command of Governor David Umahi through the commander of Ebubeagu, and security details attached to Governor David Umahi. Kindly take note that the Ebubeagu vigilante group was recently disbanded by a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria for their nefarious and criminal activities.
Here is a link to a publication in respect hereof.
(n) These crimes occur on a daily basis without check, and without any form of assistance for the victims and their families. The persons and offices whose names appear as Respondents parties should be held jointly and severally liable for these crimes by virtue of their official capacities and the authority imbued therein.
AIDING AND ABETTING ROME STATUTE VIOLATIONS
The Complainants/Petitioners submit that for there to be true justice and accountability, the investigation should include; whether certain Nigerian officials or state actors have aided and abetted in any way the commission of crimes against humanity in Nigeria for prosecution.
An Individual can be convicted of a crime against humanity in the International Criminal Court if he or she “aids, abets or otherwise assists” in the commission or attempted commission of the crime, “including providing the means for its commission” (Article 25). By issuing the shoot to kill orders and other orders that go against any set standard of humanity then, the military commanders, police chiefs and any other state actors have aided and abetted the commission of crimes against humanity.
TORTURE, MURDER, PAIN AND SUFFERING
As defined by Article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
During these current political campaigns in Nigeria, several opposition aspirants and supporters have been tortured through illegal detentions, physical assault, brutalized with machetes, guns, and assault weapons by APC thugs.
Below are some of the victims and pictorial evidence of their injuries; some attacks happened on the 18 of March 2023, while some attacks happened after the elections have been finalized. Some of the victims were waylaid at Abule Ado area of Lagos on their way back from church services on Sunday 19 March 2023, a day after the Gubernatorial elections in Lagos:
(i) Video of a victim with multiple machete wounds to head and body
(ii) Video and pictorial evidence of Austin Iruobe Asuerimen with severe head injuries
(iii) Pictorial evidence of victim Austin Iruobe Asuerimen with stitches on his head
(iv) Video of Ebere Chinedu with machete cuts wounds to his head and body
(v) Video evidence of Ebere Chinedu in the hospital in bandages
(vi) MORE EVIDENCE OF FATALITIES, VICTIMS AND THEIR IDENTITIES
Herewith a link to many victims’ identities and their injuries.
(vii) Mr. Onyeka Abali a Labour Party member and our Polling Unit agent at K1 lost his brother who also was a Polling Unit agent at Trade Fair area of Lagos State.
He was shot on Saturday 18 March 2023 by APC thugs. His body has been taken home to the East by his mother yesterday.
Herewith a pictorial evidence for ease of reference:
Photo of Onyeka Abali and his deceased brother who was killed by APC thugs in Lagos
(viii) Herewith video of Emmanuel Adogbeji with eye injury sustained during APC attacks in Lagos:
Video of Emmanuel Adogbeji Oberhiri with eye injury
(ix) Video evidence of Henry Ogheneovo Afiowor who was brutally attacked by APC thugs at Ikorodu during the Gubernatorial election on 18 March 2023:
Video attack on Henry Ogheneovo Afiowor in Ikorodu
(x) Video evidence of Ms Chidinma who was brutalized by APC thugs at Oshodi area of Lagos during the Gubernatorial election on 18 March 2023:
Video of attack on Ms Chidinma at Oshodi
(xi) Pictorial evidence of attack on Dr Gladys Nwankwo with a leg injury
(xii) Below are pictorial evidences of victims with injuries sustained during the Sunday 19th March 2023 attacks by APC thugs at Abule Ado area of Lagos State, a day after the Gubernatorial election:
NAMES OF OTHER VICTIMS:
Uchenna Murphy
Uchenna Nwazuo
Ekwonna Chukwubuike
Emeka Frances
Sochima Ezekwem
Walter Okoro
Okundu Anukeyi
Nwaorie Obinna
Orakwe Emeka
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 1
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 2
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 3
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 4
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 5
Picture of Abule Ado Victim 6
Picture of Abule Ado Victim with multiple injuries to head 7
Many other opposition party members have been killed, detained and tortured for several hours in Lagos State during political rallies, or at their homes.
There has also been unwarranted use of tear gas to disperse unarmed civilians in addition to brutal beatings and brutal handling of civilians by the different state agencies around the country.
The Complainants/Petitioners submit that all the perpetrators, culprits and state actors who were involved in the commission of crimes against humanity and who also subjected civilians to torture have never been arrested or held accountable; and the State is silent about the same.
The Complainants/Petitioners further submit that all the requirements for the initiation of an investigation pursuant to Article 15 have been clearly met. The “information available to the prosecutor provides,” at the very least, “a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court have been or are being committed” (Article 53(1) (a). The “gravity of the crimes and the interests of the victims” warrant an investigation, and there can be no doubt that such an investigation would serve the interests of justice (article 53(1) (c)).
The Initiation of an investigation would send a clear message to all those involved either in committing or in aiding and abetting of the aforementioned crimes that they stand to be held personally accountable for their actions. This could help end the continuing breaches of International laws and put an end to the impunity that has underpinned the ever-increasing violence in Nigeria, which has caused and continues to cause extreme suffering to its civilian population.
The President of Nigeria; Muhammadu Buhari is joined to this proceeding by virtue of the office he occupies as the Chief Security Officer of the country. No relief is sought against him, save and in the event of him opposing this proceeding, in which event, it is totally the discretion of the Prosecutor to make a value judgment on whether or not to extent the investigation to his office. It should however be noted that during the current campaign period, Mr. Buhari as commander in chief of the armed forces has not been responsive to all the crimes and atrocities happening under his watch.
Mr. Buhari further has deployed military blockade on roads, where soldiers openly extort money from poor citizens, they sometimes kill innocent citizens, and they deny opposition members access to all highways and impeding their campaign teams from campaigning; all these are in violation of the basic principles of free and fair elections. Despite several efforts to engage the Nigeria Human Rights Commission, the West Africa Regional Office of the International Human Rights Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission “INEC” to address violations and attacks on the democratic process, the Head of the Electoral Commission continues to be partisan, aiding and encouraging the conduct of the offenders.
These persons are criminally culpable because of their command responsibility over security forces operating under their directions or control and who are terrorizing tens of millions of Nigerians specifically because of their ethnic and political leaning. The crimes include, incitement to violence, ethnic baiting, extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture and sister unspeakable horrors. They are grisly hallmark of crimes against humanity.
The Complainant/Petitioner, should it become necessary, shall cooperate with the ICC to gather more photographic, video, and testimonial evidence of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Respondents and their accomplices.
The prosecution of the Respondents and accomplices before the International Criminal Court would prompt the United Nations Security Council to immediately commence the process of sanctions against the President of Nigeria and other co-accused.
CONCLUSION
It is respectfully submitted that there are prima facie evidences of crimes to warrant investigation by the International Criminal Court “the ICC” for violation of international human rights law, violations of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other norms of international law, both customary and by convention.
The Nigerian organs of state and prosecutorial system have become the instruments of such violations and as such the vehicles used to arrest and impose detention.
We await your kind response in this regard.
Your faithfully,
Austin Okeke Esq.
Head: International Litigation and Diplomacy
Tel: +27837289081.
