Tinubu Seeks Reps’ Approval for War Crimes, Genocide Bills
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted two bills seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework for prosecuting genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, to the House of Representatives .
The bills are the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement) Bill, 2026.
In a letter dated October 6, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, the president urged the lawmakers to consider the proposed legislations expeditiously.
Tinubu said the bills were transmitted pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
According to the letter, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill seeks to repeal the Geneva Conventions Act, Cap. G3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and give effect to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and the two Additional Protocols of June 8, 1977.
The president said the proposed legislation would update the legal framework for implementing the international humanitarian law instruments in Nigeria.
The second bill, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement) Bill, 2026, seeks to give effect to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in Nigeria.
It also seeks to provide for the enforcement and punishment of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and related offences.
The bill further seeks to enable Nigeria to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in the performance of its functions.
In the letter, Tinubu expressed confidence that the House would give the bills expeditious consideration.
