Kaduna Central Senator Lawal Adamu Usman has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, seeking the arrest of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for alleged persecution of opposition figures during the August 16 Chikun/Kajuru by-election.
The Senator accused the Governor of orchestrating the arrest of PDP’s candidate, Princess Esther Velli Dawaki, and over 25 senior party officials by security agencies. He alleged that ₦26 million in election logistics was also unlawfully seized.
In the petition, Usman claimed Governor Sani’s actions amount to crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, citing political persecution, abuse of state power, and suppression of democratic participation.
The lawmaker urged the ICC to investigate, establish liability, and issue an arrest warrant against the Governor to “deter further abuse of state machinery in Kaduna State.”
Governor Sani is yet to respond to the petition.
PETITION TO THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC), THE HAGUE
RE: REQUEST FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN ARREST WARRANT AGAINST GOVERNOR UBA SANI OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA, FOR CRIMES AGAINST DEMOCRACY, POLITICAL PERSECUTION, AND ABUSE OF STATE MACHINERY DURING THE AUGUST 16, 2025 BY-ELECTIONS
1. Petitioner
I, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, and stakeholder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), submit this petition on behalf of the PDP Candidate in the August 16, 2025 Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election, Princess Esther Asheu Velli Dawaki, who remains unlawfully detained under the direction and influence of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
2. Jurisdiction of the Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction under Article 7 of the Rome Statute over crimes against humanity, including persecution on political grounds. The systematic use of state security and anti-graft agencies by Governor Uba Sani to intimidate, arrest, and incapacitate opposition candidates and party officials constitutes politically motivated persecution and suppression of democratic rights.
These acts are not isolated incidents but form part of a deliberate, coordinated pattern of repression targeting opposition figures in Kaduna State, thereby qualifying as crimes against humanity within the ICC’s mandate.
3. Statement of Facts
a. On 16 August 2025, a by-election was held in Kaduna State. The PDP deployed over 6,000 officials and 5,000 accredited agents across 169 wards, with duly documented logistics funds.
b. At approximately 03:30 a.m. on election day, heavily armed operatives, acting under political directives, stormed the hotel housing PDP officials. They unlawfully arrested the PDP candidate, Princess Esther Velli Dawaki, and several senior party leaders.
c. Over ₦26 million in lawful election logistics funds was seized without legal basis.
d. More than 25 senior PDP officials – including the State Secretary, Zonal Chairman, Women Leaders, and a sitting House of Assembly Member – were arbitrarily detained.
e. These acts occurred despite a Peace Accord signed by political parties, which Governor Uba Sani brazenly violated.
f. The PDP candidate remains in unlawful EFCC detention, as confirmed by official notices, with her continued custody politically directed.
g. Independent media, observers, and sworn affidavits corroborate that these actions were politically motivated and targeted at undermining free democratic participation.
h. Governor Uba Sani bears direct command responsibility, as state operatives acted under his political authority, thereby incurring personal criminal liability.
4. Legal Grounds
The unlawful arrest and persecution of opposition candidates and party officials constitute political persecution, prohibited under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute.
The systematic misuse of state institutions to suppress electoral participation constitutes an attack on a civilian population, falling squarely within crimes against humanity.
Governor Uba Sani is personally liable both as instigator and as one exercising command responsibility.
5. Reliefs Sought
The Petitioner respectfully prays the ICC to:
1. Open an investigation into Governor Uba Sani’s conduct during the August 16, 2025 by-election.
2. Establish criminal liability for persecution, unlawful arrest, and systematic abuse of state power.
3. Issue an arrest warrant against Governor Uba Sani to prevent further abuse of state machinery and to guarantee democratic freedoms in Nigeria.
4. Order interim protective measures to secure the immediate release of the detained PDP candidate and party officials.
5. Take all necessary actions to uphold the sanctity of democratic participation and prevent recurrence.
6. Verification and Oath
I, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, affirm under oath that the facts contained herein and in the attached annexures are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, belief, and evidence provided.
Signed:
Senator Lawal Adamu Usman
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
For and on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State
