ICC Dismisses Kidnap Probe; Nigeria Critiques Court's Process

On September 1, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) dismissed an anonymous petition that sought an investigation into alleged systemic kidnappings in Nigeria as crimes against humanity. The Federal Government of Nigeria responded sharply, accusing the ICC of bypassing its procedural safeguards.

The petition, titled “Formal Communication Requesting Investigation into Systemic Kidnappings in Nigeria as Crimes Against Humanity,” was filed as Document No. ICC-RoC46(3)-01/26.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II found the request lacked a legal basis and was not properly before the Court. Fagbemi expressed concern over the circumstances that allowed the petition to reach the Pre-Trial Chamber, noting it was submitted by an unidentified person without verification.

He criticized the initiation of the process by the President of the Pre-Trial Division on August 26, 2026, as a deviation from established procedures under the Rome Statute. The Federal Government plans to make representations to the ICC regarding this matter.