Senator Drags Uba Sani To ICC
Senator Lawal Adamu Usman
The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman has filed a petition before the International Criminal Court (ICC) asking it to issue a warrant of arrest against Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
In the petition made available to The Syndicate, the Senator accused the governor of committing “Crimes Against Democracy, Unlawful Persecution, and Abuse of State Machinery During The August 16, 2025 By-election in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency.
Senator Lawal stated that the petition was filed on behalf of the PDP candidate in the by-election, “who was unlawfully arrested and is currently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the influence and orders of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State”.
Part of the petition reads: “The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals responsible for serious violations of international law, including persecution on political grounds, unlawful detention, and systematic attacks against democratic participation, which form part of crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.
“The actions of Governor Uba Sani, using the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and now the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to intimidate, arrest, and incapacitate opposition candidates, constitute an abuse of state power amounting to politically motivated persecution and suppression of democratic rights.
“On the 16th of August, 2025, by-elections were conducted across Kaduna State, Nigeria. The PDP fully participated, deploying over 6,000 officials and over 5,000 agents across the State’s 169 wards, with election logistics duly funded (See Annexure H).
“In the early hours of 16th August, 2025, at about 03:30 a.m., heavily armed state operatives, acting under the direction and influence of Governor Uba Sani, stormed the hotel accommodation of PDP officials in Kaduna (See Annexure B – photographic/video evidence).
“The PDP’s duly nominated Candidate was unlawfully arrested without any justifiable cause. Over ₦26,000,000.00 (Twenty-Six Million Naira), earmarked strictly for election logistics, was confiscated (See Annexure C – sworn affidavits and financial records).
“Over 25 senior PDP stakeholders were also arrested and harassed, including the State Party Secretary, Zonal Chairman, Women Leaders, a House of Assembly member, and other officials — all with the singular aim of intimidating the opposition and manipulating the outcome of the elections (See Annexure D – list of detained stakeholders and affidavits).
“These actions were carried out despite the existence of a Peace Accord signed by political parties in Kaduna State (See Annexure A), which Governor Uba Sani violated by orchestrating unlawful arrests and intimidation.
“Currently, the PDP Candidate remains in custody, being unlawfully held by the EFCC under political instructions of Governor Uba Sani (See Annexure F – EFCC detention notice/confirmation).
“Independent media reports and election monitors documented these incidents of persecution and intimidation, confirming that the arrests and harassment were politically motivated (See Annexures E & G).
“The Governor of Kaduna State bears direct command responsibility for these acts, as the Nigerian Police Force, DSS, and EFCC operatives acted under his political directives to unlawfully detain and persecute opposition figures (See Annexure J – any communications/recordings linking Governor Uba Sani to the arrests).”
The Senator averred that “the unlawful arrest, detention, and persecution of opposition candidates and officials amounts to political persecution contrary to Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute.
“The systematic abuse of state apparatus to suppress democratic participation amounts to an attack against a civilian population in violation of international human rights and electoral freedoms.
“Governor Uba Sani, as the sitting Chief Executive of Kaduna State, is personally criminally liable for these acts, both as an instigator and as one exercising command and superior responsibility.”
He therefore pray the ICC to open an investigation into the conduct of Governor Uba Sani in relation to the August 16, 2025 by-election.
“Establish criminal liability for persecution, unlawful arrest, and abuse of state power.
“Issue an arrest warrant against Governor Uba Sani to prevent further abuses, intimidation, and suppression of political opposition in Nigeria.
“Take any other measures necessary to guarantee the protection of opposition figures, candidates, and the sanctity of democratic participation in Nigeria.”
