The Federal Government has revealed details of how Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir escaped arrest during his recent visit to Abuja when he attended an African Union (AU) special health summit last month. In July, President Bashir was one of several African leaders who attended the summit in Abuja and the
Nigeria was under pressure to arrest him as there is an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant out for his arrest.
However, he managed to slip out of the country before any arrest was effected as Nigeria was weighing whether to bow to international pressure or not.
Justice minister Mohammed Adoke, wrote to the ICC informing them that the federal government was already making plans to hand over the Sudanese president during the visit. In a letter sent to the ICC registrar Herman von Hebe, Mr Adoke pointed out that President Bashir left the country while plans were still being hatched.
He said: “President Al-Bashir left at the time officials of relevant bodies and agencies of the federal government were already considering the necessary steps to be taken in respect of his visit in line with Nigeria’s international obligations.”
Adoke added that Nigeria did not invite the Sudanese president to the country as in line with AU tradition, he did not need an invitation to attend the summit. President Al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC on charges of genocide in Darfur. When he came to Nigeria President Al-Bashir received a red carpet reception with a full guard of honour, with minister of police affairs, Caleb Olubolade, at the airport to receive him. Human Rights Watch criticised Nigeria for having the shameful distinction of being the first West African country to welcome an ICC fugitive.