The Federal Government has faulted the International Criminal Court’s decision to accept a complaint filed against Nigeria by what it described as an unverified group, raising concerns over the credibility and legitimacy of the petitioners.

Government officials argued that international institutions should exercise caution when entertaining complaints submitted by organisations or individuals whose identity, status or authority cannot be independently verified. They maintained that due diligence is necessary to protect the integrity of international legal processes.

According to the government, the complaint does not represent the position of the Nigerian state and should not be treated as conclusive evidence of wrongdoing. Officials stressed that allegations must be subjected to proper legal scrutiny before any conclusions are drawn.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to addressing security and human rights concerns through existing national institutions and legal mechanisms. It noted that Nigeria remains engaged with international partners on issues relating to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

The development follows the ICC’s acknowledgement of a communication relating to alleged crimes in Nigeria, a process that does not automatically amount to the opening of a formal investigation. The court routinely receives and reviews communications from individuals and organisations before determining whether further action is warranted.

Officials insisted that Nigeria would continue to defend its reputation and ensure that any allegations against the country are addressed through lawful and transparent procedures.

They also called for fairness and objectivity in the treatment of matters involving sovereign states before international bodies.