The Federal Government was already making plans to hand over Sudan’s leader, Omar al-Bashir, during his controversial visit to the country in July to attend an African Union summit, before he abruptly cut short his visit and left Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, has told the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a letter to the registrar of the ICC, Herman von Hebe, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the AGF explained that Mr. Al-Bashir left the country “at the time officials of relevant bodies and agencies of the Federal Government were already considering the necessary steps to be taken in respect of his visit in line with Nigeria’s international obligations.”
Mr. Adoke said Nigeria did not invite the Sudanese President who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of genocide in Darfur. He said Mr. .Al-Bashir was in Nigeria to “ostensibly attend” a two-day African Union (AU) Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He said, Mr. Al-Bashir, in line with AU tradition, did not need an invitation from Nigeria to attend the AU summit,
However, the Federal Government had given the Sudanese President a red carpet welcome with a full guard of honour; while the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, was at the airport to receive him.
Mr. Al-Bashir left before the end of the summit, amidst calls from local and international human rights organisation to arrest and hand him over to the ICC.
Human Rights Watch, HRW, said in statement that Nigeria had “the shameful distinction of being the first West African country to welcome ICC fugitive Sudanese President Sudan al-Bashir.”
“Al-Bashir is a fugitive charged with heinous crimes committed in Darfur and he belongs in custody,” HRW’s Associate Director, Elise Keppler, said.
Source: Premium Times
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