The petition requests him to use his position "to investigate allegations of unlawful killing of at least 326 people and perpetration of other crimes under international law during the violence this month in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria; and the reports that the military and police used excessive force against both Christians and Muslims in responding to the violence."
In the response to SERAP's petition dated February 8, and signed by M.P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor, the ICC said that, "The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your communication;
"This has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you in writing," SERAP's Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, revealed in a statement.
Reacting to the development, SERAP's lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana who had sent the petition to the ICC on behalf of the group, said that, "This is an important decision; we look forward to the ICC getting fully involved and addressing the subject matter of the petition;
"Given the persistent lack of political will by the Nigerian government to address the problem, we believe the intervention by the ICC in this case is especially important as the ICC can once and for all address the responsible of those who instigated the violence in Jos;
"The ICC decision is also an important development for the tens of thousands of victims of the latest violence and previous outbreaks of deadly violence in Jos. Ending impunity for the cycle of violence in many parts of Nigeria is absolutely important for sustainable peace, stability and security, and for the country's social, economic and political development".
Earlier, in a petition dated January 29 and sent to Ocampo, the group said that "Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and deposited its instrument of ratification on September 27, 2001."
According to group, "The Plateau State Police Command said that at least 326 people were killed during the violence. Tens of thousands are displaced, and denied access to humanitarian assistance and basic necessities of life such as food and medical care. Many have not been assisted to return to their homes and land, or provided with alternative accommodation."
On the basis of the above, the group asked the ICC to urgently commence an investigation proprio motu on the allegations of the unlawful killing of at least 326 people and other crimes committed during the violence in Jos this month, with a view to determining whether these amount to crimes against humanity within the Court's jurisdiction.
"In this respect, we also urge you to invite representatives of the Nigerian government to provide written or oral testimony at the seat of the Court, so that the Prosecutor is able to conclude on the basis of available information whether there is a reasonable basis for an investigation, and to submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorisation of an investigation".
The world court was also asked to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for crimes against humanity in Jos.
The Federal Government was also urged to fulfil its obligations under Article 86 of the Rome Statute to cooperate; "including complying with your (ICC) requests to arrest and surrender suspected perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Jos, take testimony, and provide other support to the ICC."