Ex-NIIA DG: Why ambassadorial appointments may not protect ex-service chiefs from ICC probe

Former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof Bola Akinterinwa, says the appointment of ex-service chiefs as non-career ambassadors may not necessarily grant them diplomatic immunity or protect them from being probed by the International Criminal Court.

Akinterinwa, who spoke on a PUNCH Online interview on Thursday, also doubted that the ex-service chiefs who were believed not to have performed at home would perform outside the country.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said the court had found a reasonable basis to begin investigating members of the Nigerian Security Forces for crimes against humanity committed especially in Nigeria’s North-East under the watch of the now-former service chiefs.

Following the replacement of the service chiefs last week, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and some civil society organisations had also asked the ICC to probe Olonisakin, Buratai and others for human rights violation.

In a move many believed was to shield the former commanders from the ICC prosecution, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, appointed all the service chiefs who were changed last week as non-career ambassadors.

The Presidency also said the names of the ex-military commanders have been sent to the Senate for confirmation. Punch