Senator drags Governor to International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against opposition politicians
The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Lawal Adamu Usman has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, requesting the issuance of an arrest warrant against Governor Uba Sani for alleged crimes against opposition politicians in the state.
Penpushing reports that Usman’s petition followed the arrest and detention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the August 16, 2025 Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, Princess Esther Asheu Velli Dawaki and the party’s Campaign Director General, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Patange, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
The Senator is specifically praying the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue the warrant of arrest for Governor Uba Sani over his alleged attack on democracy, unlawful persecution, and abuse of state power in his dealings with opposition parties and political parties in the state.
Penpushing further reports that Usman, in his petition dated August 26, 2025, already sent to the Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor in The Hague, explained that he was acting on behalf of the party’s candidate in the August 16 by-election, who he also said remains in unlawful custody under the directive of Governor Uba Sani.
The petition emphasized that in the early hours of the August 16 by-election, heavily armed operatives stormed the hotel accommodation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials, where they arrested the party’s House of Representatives candidate and several other chieftains, during which they also confiscated over ₦26 million meant for election logistics.
Penpushing also reports that he alleged that more than 25 officials of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and chieftains, including the state secretary, zonal chairman, women leaders, and a House of Assembly member, were herded into detention.
The federal lawmaker described the arrest and detention as a “commando style” deliberate clampdown targeted at intimidating the opposition politicians and manipulating the by-election results.
Penpushing reports that Usman in the petition claimed that the Kaduna State Governor’s actions violated the peace accord signed by political parties in the state and amounted to politically motivated persecution.
The petitioners accused the Governor of abusing and craftily usurping the functions and powers of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to incapacitate the opposition and undermine free democratic participation in Kaduna State.
Penpushing further reports that he quoted Article 7 of the Rome Statute, argued that the unlawful arrests and intimidation fell within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as crimes against humanity, particularly political persecution.
The Senator, therefore, urged the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation, establish liability, and issue an arrest warrant against the Governor to deter further abuse of state machinery in Kaduna State.
“The Governor of Kaduna State bears direct command responsibility for these acts, as security and anti-graft agencies acted under his political directive to unlawfully detain and persecute opposition figures,” the petition reads.
Penpushing also reports that the Kaduna Central Senator affirmed his petition under oath, stressing that the facts presented were true, and equally attached affidavits, media reports, and alleged evidence linking the Governor to the crackdown on the opposition candidate.
Meanwhile, as at the time of filling this report the Kaduna State Governor was yet to respond to the allegation submitted by the Kaduna State lawmaker, representing the Kaduna State at the national assembly
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