General News
ICC dismisses case filed by unknown petitioner against Nigeria
*As AGF Fagbemi raises concern, asks UN to tidy up procedures
Nkem Okereh
The International Criminal Court has dismissed a case filed by an unknown submitter against Nigeria over alleged crimes against humanity.
The international body dismissed the filing titled, “Formal Communication Requesting Investigation into Systemic Kidnappings in Nigeria as Crimes Against Humanity” (Document No. ICC-RoC46(3)-01/26),” for breaching its procedures.
This was after the President of the Pre-Trial Division had improperly initiated a procedural process by assigning the unverified filing from an anonymous submitter to Pre-Trial Chamber II, purportedly pursuant to Regulation 46(3) of the Regulations of the Court.
Nigeria views the development as worrying and is making representation to the ICC despite dismissing the case.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a statement issued on Thursday, said that the unmeritorious application bypassed established legal channels and was capable of casting an unnecessary shadow over the integrity of the Court’s judicial processes.
He reassured Nigerians and the international community that no investigation had been opened by the ICC against Nigeria, or had any adverse finding been made against the Nigerian State or its institutions.
The statement entitled, “THE DISMISSAL IN LIMINE BY PRE-TRIAL CHAMBER II OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT REGARDING AN UNAUTHORISED COMMUNICATION ON NIGERIA,” reads as follows:
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to address recent public discourse and procedural records concerning a filing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) titled “Formal Communication Requesting Investigation into Systemic Kidnappings in Nigeria as Crimes Against Humanity” (Document No. ICC-RoC46(3)-01/26).
“The Federal Government notes with serious concern that on 26th August 2026, the President of the Pre-Trial Division improperly initiated a procedural process by assigning an unverified filing from an anonymous submitter to Pre-Trial Chamber II, purportedly pursuant to Regulation 46(3) of the Regulations of the Court. This administrative assignment was executed without a prior, reasoned threshold determination on the competence of the Pre-Trial Chamber or whether the communication was manifestly frivolous, thereby breaching the foundational procedural safeguards established under the Court’s own regulations.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice confirms that following this flawed initiation, Pre-Trial Chamber II, comprising Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding), Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, and Judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh, issued an official decision on 1st September 2026, unequivocally dismissing the request in limine (at the threshold) on the clear ground that it was not properly before the Court and lacked any legal basis.
“While the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges the swift decision of Pre-Trial Chamber II to throw out this unmeritorious application, the Federal Government observes with serious concern that the initial processing of this anonymous communication unusually bypassed established legal channels. The activation of internal registry mechanisms based on an unverified filing by an “unknown submitter” represents an unusual and troubling departure from the governing statutory framework of the Rome Statute.
“For the avoidance of doubt, internal administrative guidelines cannot be used to bypass the strict rules established under the Rome Statute. The authority to evaluate information or request an investigation rests solely with the Prosecutor of the ICC, or through formal referrals by a State Party or the UN Security Council. The Rome Statute gives neither the President of the Pre-Trial Division nor any Pre-Trial Chamber the power to receive anonymous petitions or interfere in the internal security matters of a sovereign nation.
“The Federal Government emphasizes that such procedural breaches risk casting an unnecessary shadow over the integrity of the Court’s judicial processes. Unchecked administrative entertainments of unverified, anonymous requests have the potential to impugn and strain the progress, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation painstakingly built over the years between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Criminal Court.
“Nigeria remains a steadfast State Party to the Rome Statute, committed to international accountability and the rule of law. However, the primary constitutional responsibility for investigating and prosecuting domestic criminal activities, including kidnapping and banditry, resides firmly with Nigeria’s national judicial and law enforcement institutions under the fundamental principle of complementarity.
“The Federal Government reassures the Nigerian public and the international community that no investigation has been opened by the ICC against Nigeria, nor has any adverse finding been made against the Nigerian State or its institutions. The Federal Government calls on all organs of the Court to adhere strictly to clear statutory procedures to protect the credibility of international criminal justice and maintain the trust of sovereign State Parties.”
General News
NNPC announces nationwide N66 fuel discount for fuel bought through app

By Our Reporter
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign offering customers a ₦66 discount on fuel purchases made through its NNPC Fuel App.
The promotion, which began on October 1, will run until October 7 at NNPC filling stations across the country.
NNPC announced the initiative in a post on its X handle on Friday, saying customers had already started taking advantage of the offer at various stations.
“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!
“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!
The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.
The company said activities had commenced at several of its stations nationwide, with highlights from the first day of the promotion shared with the public.
NNPC urged motorists and other customers to continue using the Fuel App for their transactions throughout the seven-day campaign in order to benefit from the discount.
“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.
The national oil company also said it would continue to release pictures and updates from participating stations as the promotion progresses.
Customers have been advised to take advantage of the offer before the promotional period ends on October 7.
The ₦66 discount applies to eligible transactions made through the NNPC Fuel App during the promotion.
General News
Hardship: Public servants begin three-day warning strike

By Our Reporter
Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council over what the workers described as worsening economic and mental hardship.
The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, is expected to run through Sunday, October 4.
The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the action, with the directive contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The circular urged the council’s leadership to ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country.
The decision, according to the council, followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands earlier presented to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.
READ ALSO:Unions reject TUC suspension of strike, demand reversal of King’s College concession
Explaining the commencement of the industrial action, the council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026.”
The council called on public servants at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike, saying the action was aimed at drawing attention to the economic difficulties confronting workers and their dependants.
It stated, “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”
The JNPSNC further expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
It also directed its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation for the industrial action, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”
The warning strike comes against the backdrop of demands earlier submitted by the council to the Federal Government for measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs on workers.
Among the demands were a reduction in the price of petrol, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council had reportedly asked the Federal Government to bring down the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and constitute a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
The demands followed continued concerns over the declining purchasing power of workers amid increases in the prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household needs.
In its latest circular, the council urged its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed optimism about the outcome of the industrial action.
“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.
The council maintained that the warning strike would proceed as scheduled, with public servants across the federal, state and local government services expected to take part.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
General News
Olokoro Community Eulogises NDPHC MD/CEO Adighije for School Renovation, Development Projects
Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja
The people of Olokoro Clan in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have showered encomiums on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for executing key development projects in the community, including the comprehensive renovation of a block of classrooms at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara.
The community described the projects as landmark interventions that have not only improved learning conditions for students but also reinforced Adighije’s commitment to grassroots development and community service.
Speaking during the commissioning of the projects on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration, community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and youth organisations hailed Adighije as a worthy ambassador of Olokoro whose contributions have brought honour and development to the clan.
The projects commissioned include the renovation of a classroom block at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara Olokoro, and the landscaping and installation of modern 3D flooring at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters Complex in Ahiaukwu.
The event attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government representatives, community stakeholders and indigenes who turned out to celebrate what many described as a historic day for the clan.
In his remarks, the Federated President-General of the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU), Dr. Odinakachi Umekwe, commended Adighije for her dedication to the welfare of her people and for consistently identifying with the aspirations of the community.
He noted that the renovation of the school facility would significantly improve the learning environment for students and contribute to educational development in the area.
Umekwe urged community members to safeguard and maintain the facilities, while offering prayers for greater accomplishments in Adighije’s public service career.
Speaking shortly before commissioning the renovated classroom block, Adighije attributed the successful execution of the projects to God’s grace and the productive partnership between the community and government institutions.
She assured the people that her intervention in the school would not end with the renovation, announcing plans to undertake solar electrification of the classroom block as the next phase of support.
According to her, quality education remains critical to community development and nation-building, stressing that investments in educational infrastructure are investments in the future of young people.
She also pledged to continue collaborating with the leadership of the OCDU to identify and execute additional projects that would improve the living conditions of residents.
The community further applauded the NDPHC boss for her contributions to youth empowerment, employment opportunities and other initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Olokoro people.
Traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives and elders who spoke at the event described Adighije as a role model and a source of inspiration to younger generations, noting that her achievements in engineering, public service and community development have made the clan proud.
In an emotional response during a grand reception held in her honour at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters, Adighije thanked the people for their overwhelming support and goodwill.
She reaffirmed her commitment to serving humanity and promoting the development of Olokoro, assuring residents that she would continue to contribute her quota to the progress of the community whenever the opportunity arises.
Her father, Senator Chris Adighije, also expressed gratitude to the people of Olokoro for the honour accorded his family and pledged continued support for initiatives that would advance the development of the clan.
The event featured cultural performances by students of Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara, and was attended by prominent traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders from across Olokoro Clan.
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