“For if you leave the hand of an ape in your soup, after a while, it will be misconstrued for the hand of a human. Let it not be heard that it is allowed to stay for too long.

This is the issue with utterances that triggered electoral violence across Nigeria, especially in the acclaimed civilised city, Lagos. 

Indeed, the 2023 elections has opened the eyes of many Nigerians.

Things that were overlooked in previous elections are now of great importance and Nigerians have refused to overlook them.

The issue of election and post-election violence which was paid little attention to is now of grave concern to many.

There have been numerous petitions since the conclusion of the elections.

One of such petitions was received by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga is the Media Director of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

ICC on Monday acknowledged receipt of a petition filed against him.

The Petition

The international court issued an acknowledgement letter dated March 27, 2023, with reference number OTP-CR-109/23.

It says the petition was written by Professor Gideon Christian to investigate election and post-election violence in Nigeria and alleged incitement to ethnic hate speech by Onanuga.

The letter was signed by the Head of Information & Evidence Unit, Office of The Prosecutor, Mark P. Dillon.

ICC says the petition has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office of the court and due consideration would be given to it.

The petitioner, Christian, entitled his petition: “Request to Investigate the Election and Post-Election Violence in Nigeria as well as Incitement to Ethnic Hate by Mr Bayo Onanuga”.

He invited the Office of the prosecutor to conduct an investigation into series of ethnically motivated violence resulting in injuries and death during the just concluded elections.

The petitioner claim that Onanuga issued a threat on Twitter warning individuals from the Igbo ethnic group that 2023 should be the last time they would be interfering in Lagos’ politics.

The petition was brought Pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute and it read: “Pursuant to art.15 of the Rome Statute, please accept this communication to the International Criminal Court (the Court), requesting the Office of the Prosecutor to conduct an investigation into series of ethnically motivated violence resulting in injuries and death during the just concluded Presidential and Governorship elections in Nigeria.

Incitement

“The European Union Election Observer Mission in Nigeria which observed both elections, in their interim report on 20th March 2023 noted multiple incidents of ‘organised violent attacks’ which resulted in ‘many casualties and fatalities.

“These incidents were the results of incitement to ethnic hatred by Nigerian politicians and their agents, who actively (directly and indirectly) incited groups of individuals to inflict harm on other individuals from a targeted ethnic group (the Igbo) as well as individuals who ‘look like’ people from that ethnic group.

“It is on record that prior to the elections, very influential individuals and politicians especially in Lagos had publicly warned members of the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria not to show up to exercise their constitutional rights to vote.

“While this complaint is not strictly about the deprivation of that right (which admittedly this Court has no jurisdiction).

“It is evident that in an effort to deprive members of this ethnic group of their right to vote.

“These politicians and influential individuals incited ethnic hate that resulted in ‘many casualties and fatalities’ to individual from the Igbo ethnic group including those who ‘looked like them.

“Mr Bayo Onanuga was clearly one of such person.

Casualties And Fatalities

“Following the completion of the governorship election in Nigeria in which individuals from the Igbo ethnic group and others who ‘looked like them’ suffered ‘many casualties and fatalities’ especially in Lagos”.

“Mr Bayo Onanuga, a very influential journalist turned politician and now Director of Media and Publicity in ruling political party’s presidential campaign organisation issued a threat on Twitter warning individuals from the Igbo ethnic group that 2023 should be the last time they will be interfering in Lagos politics.

“Mr Onanuga’s concept of interference arose from the legitimate act by individuals from the Igbo ethnic group in Lagos in exercising their constitutional right to vote anywhere in Nigeria.

“This statement was issued after individuals from this ethnic group have been attacked and killed in Lagos during the governorship election.

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“The attacks continued after Mr Onanuga’s tweet.

“What is more disturbing about Mr Onanuga’s tweet is the threat of future harm to individuals from the Igbo ethnic group in future elections in 2027”.

Also, the petitioner said and also attached a copy of Onanuga’s alleged tweet which he claimed has been viewed over 5.5 million times.

“Mr Onanuga is a well-educated journalist and a prominent member of the ruling political party.

“His conduct in inciting ethnic hatred, which fuelled election and post-election violence against individuals from the specific ethnic group, who were the target of his incitement needs to be investigated to prevent a repeat of what happened in Rwanda and Burundi in the 90s.

“Promoting attacks against individuals from a particular ethnic group residing in a particular area is a clear violation of international law.

The Request

“That violation falls within the jurisdiction of this Court.

“The international community must not only take action to prevent such acts from reoccurring but should also hold to account individuals involved in such international wrongdoing.

“I, therefore, request this Court to investigate the conduct of Mr Onanuga and other individuals in Nigeria, who directly and indirectly organised, incited, aided and abated the ethnically motivated election and post-election violence in Nigeria.

“This court should take appropriate action to hold them responsible for their actions.

“This will prevent future conducts that will breach rules of international law,” the petition read.

ICC Response

However, the international court in its response through the letter said it “will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

“Please note this acknowledgement letter does not mean an investigation has been opened, or that an investigation will be opened by the Office of the Prosecutor.

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“As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision”.