A group called Nigerian Coalition on International Court of Justice on Tuesday staged a protest against what it described as President Goodluck Jonathan’s romance with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.
The Sudanese leader who has the International Criminal Court (ICC)’S warrant of arrest issued against him still pending, was treated to a red-carpet reception when he arrived Abuja last Sunday for the just concluded two-day African Union Special Summit on HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis and malaria.
Al-Bashir, is being wanted for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide against the people of Darfur. Both the United Kingdom and the European Union have separately condemned his presence in Nigeria.
The Coalition group led by Chima Obiagwu, Chairman, Steering Committee, noted that allowing Al-Bashir to attend the important summit amounted to promotion of impunity on the part of the federal government.
Obiagwu recalled that 13 soldiers who were killed in Sudan in 2008 are yet to be compensated, saying his group decries impunity and injustice in any form.
“We have enough problems to deal with Nigeria”, he said, restating the Coalition’s stand against impunity and injustice, adding that Al-Bashir is still being wanted for war crimes.
The Coalition chairman spoke further, “Albshir is not welcome in Nigeria. We are saying that we are registering our regrets and displeasure that Nigerian government invited and hosted Al Bashir and we are saying no to Al Bashir.
“In proper circumstances, Nigeria should arrest and surrender him to the International Court of Justice. That is why we are protesting. Nigeria has the responsibility to arrest and surrender him to the ICC, our goal is to fight impunity in Nigeria”.
