Niger has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), nine months after announcing its intent to leave.

In September 2025, Niger, along with allies Mali and Burkina Faso – which are all under military rule – issued a joint statement saying they would not recognise the ICC’s authority, calling it an “instrument of neo-colonialist repression”.

The court said it had received an “instrument of withdrawal” on 18 June, according to a statement seen by the AFP news agency. Withdrawal takes effect one year after notification.

The ICC added that Niger must honour its obligations to the court until that date.

The ICC – based in The Hague in the Netherlands – was set up in 2002 to pursue cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

The court’s statement on Tuesday did not make any mention of Mali or Burkina Faso.

When announcing their withdrawal, the three Sahel states said they wanted to set up “indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice”.

Last year, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso also simultaneously withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the regional bloc, and created the Confederation of Sahel States for the three nations.

Juntas have been in control of the countries following coups in the early part of this decade.

Their armies have faced accusations of crimes against civilians, as violence has escalated in the region against jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

In recent years, the three countries, which are former French colonies, have increasingly become isolated from the West and strengthened their ties to Russia.

There is an outstanding ICC-issued arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Russia, as well as countries such as the US, Israel and China, are not part of the court’s 125 member states. Niger will be the third country to leave the ICC after the Philippines and Burundi.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Jaiz Bank Plc has unveiled plans to deepen its retail and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) banking operations as part of its growth strategy for the 2026 financial year, following a strong financial performance in 2025.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank, Dr.

According to Musa, the bank will intensify efforts to expand its retail and SME market penetration, strengthen financial inclusion through ethical banking solutions, and enhance shareholder value through sustainable growth and profitability.

He noted that the bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved from 60.42 per cent in 2024 to 58.09 per cent in 2025, reflecting gains from digital transformation, process optimisation, disciplined cost management, and improved operational efficiency.

Musa expressed confidence that the ratio would continue to decline as management implements additional cost-cutting measures aimed at boosting efficiency.

As part of its expansion drive, the bank plans to open 10 additional branches before the end of the year to improve customer reach and service delivery across the country.

Reviewing the bank’s 2025 performance, Musa said total assets grew by 19 per cent to N1.29 trillion, up from N1.08 trillion in 2024. Customer deposits also increased by 24 per cent, rising from N904 billion to N1.12 trillion, a development he attributed to growing customer confidence in the bank’s products and services.

Net risk assets and investments climbed by 27 per cent to N849 billion from N671 billion, underscoring the bank’s commitment to financing productive sectors of the economy while maintaining prudent risk management standards.

Gross earnings rose by 24 per cent to N102.81 billion in 2025, compared with N82.87 billion in the previous year, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) increased by 28 per cent to N31.24 billion from N24.44 billion in 2024.

Musa said the strong earnings performance was driven by increased financing activities, higher investment income, and growth in customer transactions.

“The results underscore our ability to generate sustainable earnings while remaining faithful to our principles of ethical and value-based banking,” he said.

He added that the bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio improved significantly from 23.87 per cent to 26.89 per cent, providing sufficient capacity to support future growth, absorb potential shocks, and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the financial services sector.

Musa further revealed that the bank’s Statutory Liquidity Ratio stood at 43.45 per cent, well above regulatory requirements, reflecting effective deployment of funds into productive financing and investment opportunities.

He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to building a stronger, more innovative and inclusive financial institution that delivers sustainable value to stakeholders while advancing ethical finance in Nigeria and beyond.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate on Wednesday, recorded a historic milestone in Nigeria’s constitutional reform process as it passed the State Police Bill, paving the way for the creation of state-controlled police services, while also inaugurating four newly elected senators following recent by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police marks one of the most significant legislative efforts to decentralise policing in Nigeria and strengthen the country’s response to growing security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal conflicts.

The bill was approved after a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. More than two-thirds of senators voted in support of the proposal through a manual voting process adopted after lawmakers abandoned plans to use electronic voting devices due to technical concerns.

Announcing the passage of the legislation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the exercise as a critical constitutional undertaking. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who led debate on the bill, urged lawmakers to support what he called a necessary reform to improve internal security and local law enforcement capacity.

A major provision of the bill empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly. While the Federal Police Service will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each state police command will be led by a commissioner responsible for policing within the state.

To address longstanding concerns about possible political misuse of state police, the legislation includes safeguards prohibiting commissioners from arresting, detaining, investigating or deploying force against individuals, political parties or groups solely for criticising government, except in accordance with the law.

The Senate’s decision was witnessed by several top government officials, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The bill now moves closer to becoming law, subject to further constitutional requirements, including approval by state Houses of Assembly.

Earlier during plenary, Akpabio administered the oath of office to four newly elected senators who emerged victorious in last Saturday’s by-elections.

The lawmakers inaugurated were Olaka Nwogu (PDP, Rivers South East), Enwulu Anza (APC, Nasarawa North), Ikeji Asogwa (APC, Enugu North) and Dayo Faduyile (APC, Ondo South), filling vacancies created by deaths and a diplomatic appointment.

Welcoming the new senators, Akpabio described the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world” and urged them to focus on national service above partisan interests. He also advised them to familiarise themselves with the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders to effectively discharge their legislative responsibilities.

The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, while Governor Aiyedatiwa and other dignitaries witnessed the ceremony.