Application of Principles of International Criminal Law in Combating Domestic Terrorism in Nigeria

Abstract

The idea of applying International Criminal Law to violence evolving as a result of terrorism and terrorist groups becomes
needful both to international and non-international armed conflicts. This paper aims to analyse the concept of International
Criminal Law and its relevance to curbing terrorism which has been a global crime. The paper traces the history of terrorism in
Nigeria till the current period of Boko Haram insurgency and examines the advantages and disadvantages of including
terrorism as one of the offences within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, thus calling for the need to amend
the Rome Statute; which established the International Criminal Court. This paper concludes by asserting that as a matter of law,
the road is open for including terrorism as a crime in the Rome Statute and by this to add additional tier to the international fight
against terrorism. Following from its antecedent, the International Criminal Court has generated the conviction of perpetrators of the most devastating atrocities such as World War II and the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, the Srebrenica Genocide, and more. It is therefore recommended that the powerful instrument of the International Criminal Court should be employed to combat domestic terrorism in Nigeria.