The International Criminal Court (ICC) has commenced an inquiry into alleged Lekki shooting occasioned by the #EndSARS protests which grounded both social and economic activities in Nigeria while it lasted.
The protests it would be recalled led to destruction of public properties and alleged massacre of protesting youth.
The week-long demonstration which turned to riots and arson in Lagos and other states, mostly in Nigeria’s South reportedly aimed at ending police brutality and all forms of human rights abuse in the country.
After three weeks of protest or thereabout, several private and public properties have been destroyed.
At about 6:45pm on October 20, it was learnt that the shooting marked the turning point for the agitation when Nigerian Army troops allegedly opened fire on unarmed citizens at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos.
The protesters who were armed with the Nigerian flags stood their grounds while reciting the national anthem intermittently.
However, against the background of deaths and injuries caused by the incident, Nigeria’s image has become somewhat dented among the community of nations.
While countries and international organizations have demanded prosecution of those involved, the ICC had via the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced the commencement of a preliminary examination.
The office of the ICC prosecutor said it had received information on alleged crimes.
The probe when commence will among other things, “assess whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met.”
The ICC has therefore assured that findings of the preliminary examination on crimes perpetrated during the End SARS protests would be made public.
