Tinubu transmits bills on war crimes, genocide to House of Reps

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted two bills to the House of Representatives to strengthen the legal framework of Nigeria for prosecuting genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The proposed legislations, identified as the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill, 2026, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement) Bill, 2026, were submitted pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The President, in a letter dated October 6, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, urged the lawmakers to give the bills expeditious consideration.

“The proposed legislation will update the legal framework for implementing the international humanitarian law instruments in Nigeria.”

According to the letter, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill seeks to repeal the existing Geneva Conventions Act of 2004. This aims to give full legal effect to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, alongside the two Additional Protocols of June 8, 1977.

The second legislation, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement) Bill, is designed to punish genocide and related offences locally. It also provides a legal mandate for Nigeria to cooperate with the International Criminal Court during investigations and operations.