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Why we petitioned ICC to prosecute Buhari, Emefiele — Anti-corruption group
Chairman, Board of Trustees of Anti-corruption group, Center for Human Rights and Anti-, Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), Cleric Ebikonbowei Alaowei, (Esq), has explained why the group petitioned the International Criminal Court, (ICC) to commence criminal investigation against Nigeria’s immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari and the country’s recently suspended Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
CHURAC had last week, in a petition route through the Office of the Prosecutor Communications, International Criminal Court, ICC, The Hague, The Netherlands, requested for the prosecution of Buhari and Emefiele for crime against humanity as provided under Article 15 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Alaowei on Sunday stated that the petition was hinged on policy both Buhari and Emefiele initiated and implemented when they were in government in Nigeria.
According to Alaowei, the redesign of the Nigerian currencies of 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes respectively with January 31st, 2023 as the deadline for use of the old naira notes as announced by the Emefiele-led CBN on the 26th of October, 2022, brought untold hardship on Nigerians, particularly venerable people.
He contended that despite the warning and criticisms from financial experts all over the world, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which warned that the timing of the policy will hurt the Nigerian economy thereby causing hardship to Nigerians, Buhari and Emefiele went ahead to frost the policy on Nigerians thus causing the death of many.
Specifically, the anti-graft group recalled that in October 28th 2022, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning in the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had said the CBN did not consult her Ministry on the Policy and that the Currency Swap Policy will further jeopardize the Nigerian economy.

He said that Buhari and Emefiele despite public outcry and warning, stiffed the process of getting the redesigned new naira notes and even directed banks to stop over-the-counter withdrawal of the redesigned new naira notes in order to create artificial scarcity of the naira notes thereby making life difficult for the ordinary Nigerians.
The petition further reads; “Nigerians have to buy the few circulated new naira notes with costly prices. Ten Thousand Naira, for instance, have to be sold for fifteen thousand naira or more. Only few people can have access to the currencies. People in the rural areas became victims of this systematic policy of starvation. The Naira scarcity has occasioned an untold hardship which resulted to loss of lives and means of livelihoods across the Country
“On the 2nd of February 2023, some of the Nigerian State governments of Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara sued the Federal Government of Nigeria over the inimical naira redesigned policy at the Country’s apex, the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Suit No: SC/CS/200/2023. Despite being aware of the pending Suit, CBN said it has no plan to extend February 10th 2023 deadline.
“Regrettably, Buhari and the CBN Governor flagrantly flouted the ruling of the apex Court in gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended).
“By February 13th 2023, ten days after, Buhari remained silent on how he intends to address the cash scarcity ravaging the Country after promising Nigerians. Meanwhile, on the 14th of February 2023, CBN insisted on the February 10th deadline for the old currency notes validity despite the pending Court order.
“In February 16th 2023, former President Buhari addressed Nigerians in live television broadcast on the Naira scarcity and approved the use of the old N200 notes till April 10th 2023 instead of complying with the pending Court order. Accordingly, on the 21st of February 2023, three Nigerian State governments initiated contempt proceedings against Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who was representing Buhari in the Court for flouting the Supreme Court Order.
“The former President used the instruments of State powers to suppress the judicial process, while continuing with his anti-people’s policy which has subjected Nigerians to beaming end.
“While the back and forth moves on the Naira Redesign Policy and deadlines lasted, violent protests erupted across several parts of the Country as the cash scarcity hit Nigerians hard. The hardship was further exacerbated by the increase in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as well as the scarcity of the product at the same time.
“Consequently, between the months of February and March 2023, residents of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Abeokuta the capital of Ogun State amongst other States, took to the streets to protest the lingering petrol and cash scarcity.
“One person was killed during a face-off between the protesters and the Nigerian Police officers while the unrest in Ibadan lingered. Another person was reportedly shot by the Nigerian Police in the city of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
“An official of the Lagos State University (LASU) slumped and died while waiting in a long queue to withdraw money at a bank on the institution’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos.
“On the 2nd of February 2023 a bank customer died after queuing at a generation bank in Agbor, a town in Delta State of Nigeria. Also on the 11th of March 2023, a radio presenter with Fresh FM in the city of Ibadan slumped and died while trekking to work after a futile effort to withdraw cash from the bank.
“People spent five to six hours to stand in a queue in the banks just to withdraw may be two thousand naira notes which cannot even buy goods with the lowest prices in the market due to the rising inflation.
“In a similar vein, violent protests continued across the Country at the same period. Some commercial banks were destroyed in Edo, Ogun, Delta, Lagos, etc States while the protests lasted due to the Naira scarcity.
“The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) said that the Nigerian economy lost an estimated N20 trillion to the Policy during the naira scarcity. Former President Buhari and the CBN Governor later admitted that the policy was initiated to curb vote buying at the General Elections held on 25th of February and 18th of March 2023.
“The CBN Governor explained that the decision was reached due to persisting concerns with the management of currency in circulation — particularly those outside the banking system.
“Five months later, Nigerians have been directed to go back to using the old notes side by side with the new notes till December 31st 2023 but even at that the new Naira notes are not in circulation. It means the CBN Governor and former President Buhari deliberately initiated this policy to inflict an untold hardship on Nigerians just because of their interest in the general elections.
“The action of the duo of Mr. Godwin Emefiele and former President Buhari has flagrantly violated the fundamental rights of Nigerians entrenched in international laws. The act constituted crime against humanity as provided under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We therefore, request you to carry out a holistic investigation of the crime in order to try them once they’re found culpable.
“Many Nigerians are still suffering and yet to recover from the adverse effects of the inimical currency swap policy. Even hospitals recorded so many deaths because people could not have access to their monies in the banks to fund treatments.
“If your office, in this matter, it will serve as deterrence to other leaders of nations from the member countries from trampling on the rights of their nationals in initiating policies. We’re ready to provide all necessary information for the investigation and possible prosecution of the culprits,” the petition reads. (Sun)
News
Final-year female varsity student found dead in Kogi
The lifeless body of a final-year female student of the Federal University Lokoja has been discovered along the Felele–Lokoja Road in Kogi State.
The deceased, identified as Sarah Ojodomo Idoko, was a final-year student of the Federal University Lokoja. Her body was reportedly found on Saturday night near the Crusher area along the busy Felele axis after she was allegedly dumped there by unknown assailants.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that a vehicle was seen stopping briefly near the location at about 8 p.m. before speeding away. Shortly afterwards, passers-by reportedly discovered the victim’s body by the roadside and alerted authorities.
Initial reports suggested that Sarah was a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, after an identity card bearing her name and academic details was recovered at the scene.
The card indicated that she was enrolled in the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in the Department of Office Technology Management for the 2024/2025 academic session.
However, the Kogi State Police Command later clarified that the deceased was actually a student of the Federal University Lokoja.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Kankarofi, said investigations had commenced.
He noted that the police were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and track down those responsible.
According to the police commissioner, details of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time, while assuring residents that the command remains committed to ensuring justice for the deceased.
The tragic death of Sarah Ojodomo Idoko has once again raised concerns about the safety and security of students and residents along the Felele corridor, a major gateway to Lokoja that has witnessed several security-related incidents in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Association of Nigeria Female Students (ANFS), Kogi State Chapter, described the killing as cruel, unfortunate, and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by its State Coordinator, Comrade Celina Ojoniko James, the association expressed deep sorrow over the loss and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
The group also urged government authorities and security agencies to strengthen safety measures around campuses and student communities to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (TRIBUNE)
News
Gunmen kidnap ex-minister Adelabu’s sister, children in Ibadan
The sister of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.
An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident in a statement, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.
“Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.
“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”

“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.
“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.
“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement read.
The family, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations.
It also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.
The family further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.
The statement added, “The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.
No fewer than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December, 2025.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness
Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo platform, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”
News
Pastor beats 14-year old girl to death over alleged theft in Cross River
Tragedy truck in Wula, in Eastern Boki, Boki local government area of Cross River state when a pastor allegedly beat a 14-year-old girl, Nancy Peter to death.
The Incident sparked outrage after allegations that she was first beaten by her mother and later flogged by a pastor over claims of theft.
In a statement by the Cross River State Police Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, he disclosed that preliminary findings indicate that the victim, identified as Miss Nancy Peter, was first assaulted by her mother, Mrs. Agnes Peter, 45, before being taken to Pastor Samson Roman Dago, 43, who allegedly subjected her to further corporal punishment with a cane.
He said a full-scale investigation has begun to really establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the involvement of all those linked to the tragedy.
The command also dismissed, for now, social media claims that the girl was sexually assaulted, saying no evidence had been found to support such allegations.
It added that medical examinations and other investigative steps were ongoing.

Some village sources said the teenager became unconscious after the beating and was rushed to a medical facility in Wula Community, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.
Vanguard gathered that the community has now been left in shock, as the death has revived painful concerns about the dangers of corporal punishment and the need for greater child protection.
A child rights advocates, James Ibor esq, and principal Counsel at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, ( BRCI)said that physical punishment does not correct children; it scars them, deepens fear, and can lead to irreversible harm.
“It is reprehensible and heartbreaking , that in 2026 this kind of barbaric act will still be happening, after the child rights act was passed since 2023.
“I’m calling on the Commissioner for police not to allow this girl’s murder to go unpunished , neither should it be forgotten like other murders of this nature.
“A child should never be disciplined to the point of collapse. This is a tragedy that should never have happened, the police must do everything possible to ensure the girl get’s justice , it is a sad development, ibor said.
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