A viral claim circulating on social media alleging that the International Criminal Court (ICC) imposed economic sanctions on Nigeria over Nnamdi Kanu’s detention is entirely false. The post, widely shared on Facebook since late March 2025, falsely asserts that the ICC ordered Nigeria to pay Kanu $100 million in compensation and threatened escalating monthly sanctions until his release – claims the court has explicitly denied.
ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah confirmed to fact-checkers that Kanu’s case is not among the court’s active investigations, emphasizing that the ICC lacks authority to impose trade sanctions as alleged. The court’s mandate under the Rome Statute strictly limits its jurisdiction to prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression – not issuing economic penalties against nations.
While the ICC previously examined Nigeria’s conflict with Boko Haram insurgents between 2009-2020, no arrest warrants have been issued against Nigerian officials. Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains on trial for treason charges following his controversial 2021 extradition from Kenya. His case recently restarted in March 2025 after a judicial recusal.
Similar false claims about ICC interventions in Nigerian politics have been debunked previously, including fabricated arrest warrants for high-ranking officials. Authorities urge the public to verify sensational claims about international sanctions through official channels before sharing.
