Nigeria should rescind U.S. war crimes pact-Senate

LAGOS (Reuters) – The Nigerian Senate has passed a
resolution calling on the executive to rescind a pact signed
with the United States prohibiting the surrender of suspected
war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The two sides signed an agreement in June 2003 promising
not to extradite citizens of either country to the court, which
is opposed by Washington, despite Nigeria’s pre-existing
signature on the Rome Statute establishing the ICC.

“The executive should rescind from the agreement signed
with the United States of America by giving the stipulated one
year notice of intent to terminate the agreement,” said the
resolution released to Reuters on Thursday.

The Senate reminded the executive that the constitution
gives the National Assembly the right to rule on international
treaties and warned it not to enter agreements that nullify
Nigeria’s existing international obligations. Senate
resolutions are not legally binding on the government.

The resolution reflects a growing confidence within the
National Assembly to challenge executive powers in a country
ruled by military dictators for 15 years until 1999.

Nigeria is the fifth largest oil supplier to the United
States and has become a strong Washington ally under President
Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Hague-based court was created in 1998 to try
individuals for genocide, war crimes and other major human
rights violations.

Washington calls the court “fatally flawed,” expressing
fear it will expose U.S. soldiers and officials serving in
foreign countries to frivolous or ideologically motivated
prosecutions.

Court backers say there are ample safeguards in place to
prevent this.