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”Russian leader, Putin has clearly committed war crimes”- US president, Joe Biden reacts(Video)
Following an arrest warrant issued by The International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Russia’s commissioner for children, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, US President Joe Biden stated that Putin has “clearly committed war crimes” and justified the ICC’s decision to issue the warrant.
The ICC accused Putin of being responsible for the abduction of children from Ukraine. If either individual steps foot in any of the ICC’s 123 member states, authorities in those countries would be required to arrest and transfer them to The Hague.
However, Russia does not recognize the ICC and has found the court’s questions to be “outrageous and unacceptable.” The US has never ratified the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, and Russia withdrew from the treaty after the court criticized its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In addition to the ICC arrest warrant, the US has separately concluded that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. A spokesperson for the State Department stated that “there is no doubt that Russia is committing war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, and we have been clear that those responsible must be held accountable.
” Russia has rejected the ICC’s warrants, calling them “null and void” due to its lack of recognition of the court. However, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, who was also subject to the arrest warrant, stated that it validated her work in “helping the children of our country.”
The allegations come as Russia prepares to celebrate the ninth anniversary of its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Putin is expected to participate in a “patriotic” rally at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium this weekend.
According to the court’s statement, Putin is “responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population [children] and that of unlawful transfer of population [children] from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.” The ICC’s pre-trial chamber found that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that the two suspects are responsible for the alleged war crimes, and Putin “bears individual criminal responsibility.”
Russia has claimed that it brought thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia as part of a humanitarian campaign to protect abandoned children and orphans in conflict zones.
According to Sky News’ international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn, the likelihood of Putin going on trial is low despite the warrants issued against him. Waghorn noted that many individuals who have been indicted in the past have never faced trial. He added that unless Putin is toppled from power and handed over, it is unlikely he will face trial.
The number of children taken from Ukraine remains unclear, with different organisations offering different estimates. Waghorn cited a human rights group in the US that estimates 6,000 children have been deported to Russia, while Ukrainian authorities suggest the number is closer to 16,000. Meanwhile, the Russian government has claimed that since 2014, 700,000 children have been taken from Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, chief of the Ukrainian presidential staff, stated that Ukraine has worked closely with the ICC and is currently investigating over 16,000 cases of forced child deportation to Russia. So far, Ukraine has managed to secure the return of 308 children.
During a press conference, the President of the ICC, Piotr Hofmanski, declared that the arrest warrants represent a significant moment in the pursuit of justice.
The judges assigned to the case had found credible evidence of the alleged crime against the accused persons.
The ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, had initiated an investigation one year ago into possible war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Ukraine.
He had indicated that he was also examining the targeting of civilian infrastructure and crimes against children, who have special protection under the Geneva Convention.
Ukraine, which is not a member of the court, has granted the ICC jurisdiction over its territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, calling it historic and signalling the start of an unprecedented responsibility.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the White House National Security Council, and Josep Borrell, the EU’s representative for foreign affairs and security policy, all praised the ICC warrant, noting the importance of holding those responsible for atrocities accountable.
Culled from Sky News
President Tinubu honoured 50 Nigerians on Democracy Day 2026, including Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe and Dele Alake. See the full list and what it means.
On 12 June 2026, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians described as key figures in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Democracy Day address, which commemorates the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election. Honourees include journalists, civil rights activists, and military officers.
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 prominent Nigerians on Friday, 12 June 2026. The honourees were recognised as central participants in the nation’s pro-democracy movement, a campaign that opposed military dictatorship throughout the 1990s.
The announcement formed part of the president’s nationwide 2026 Democracy Day address. Democracy Day marks the anniversary of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, a poll widely regarded as the freest in Nigerian history before its annulment by the military government of the period.
READ ALSO: Why I Refused To Align Any Political Party In Nigeria—Yakubu Gowon
This article outlines the context of the awards, identifies the categories of honourees, names notable recipients such as Sambo Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe, and Oladele Alake, and explains the next steps in the conferment process.
Why did Tinubu confer the national honours on 12 June 2026?
The conferment is tied directly to Democracy Day, an annual observance commemorating the 12 June 1993 presidential election. President Tinubu used the occasion to recognise individuals identified as central figures in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian democracy.
In his address, the president stated that the honourees suffered persecution in the course of the pro-democracy struggle. He noted that many endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement so that Nigeria could enjoy democratic governance today.
The recognition therefore functions as both a historical acknowledgement and a formal state honour, linking the sacrifices of the 1990s to the present democratic order.
Who are the notable recipients of the national honours?
The honours list comprises several categories of recipients, including journalists, civil rights leaders, legal practitioners, and senior military officers. Among the most widely recognised names are the following:
- Oladele Alake, a long-standing public figure in Nigerian governance and media.
- Joe Igbokwe, a prominent political activist and commentator.
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a senior military officer included in the soldier-democrats category.
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a recognised civil rights campaigner.
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), honoured for his role in the democratic struggle.
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous), recognised among the journalists and activists.
The inclusion of posthumous awards reflects the state’s intention to acknowledge contributors who did not survive to witness the present democratic dispensation.
What categories of honourees were recognised?
The honours list is organised into two broad groupings. The first comprises journalists, lawyers, academics, and civil rights leaders. The second comprises military officers designated as “soldier-democrats”.
Journalists, lawyers, and civil rights leaders
This grouping recognises individuals who advanced the pro-democracy cause through media, advocacy, and legal channels. Named recipients include:
- Barrister Ayoka Lawani
- Tunde Fagbenle
- Oladele Alake
- Olatunji Bello
- Louis Odion
- Segun Babatope
- Sam Omatseye
- Sir Ademola Osinubi
- Bola Bolawole
- Lade Bonuola
- Femi Kusa
- Debo Adeniran
- Chief Ayo Opadokun
- Chief Ralph Obiora
- Ose Osayande
- Barrister Osa Director
- Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous)
- Dr Osagie Obayuwana
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
- Barrister Titus Mann
- Joe Igbokwe
- Richard Akinnola
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous)
- George Mbah
- Dr Niran Malaolu
- Major-General Ishola Williams (retired)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
Soldier-democrats
This grouping recognises military officers associated with resistance to military dictatorship. Named recipients include:
- Major-General M. A. Garba
- Brigadier-General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki
- Colonel Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Colonel Musa Shehu
- Major-General Chris Eze
- Major-General Harris Dzarma
- Colonel Isa Jibrin
- Major-General Joseph Oshanupin
- Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom
- Lieutenant-Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- Colonel J. Okai
- Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze
- Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe and existing holder of the CFR title
When will the awards be formally presented?
The president stated that the formal presentation and conferment of the awards will be carried out in the coming days. According to the address, the full honours list will be released within the next few days.
The announcement therefore represents the declaration stage of the process rather than the formal investiture, which is scheduled to follow.
What does this conferment signify for Nigeria?
The 2026 Democracy Day honours connect the historical pro-democracy struggle to contemporary national recognition. By including journalists, activists, lawyers, and military officers, the awards acknowledge a broad spectrum of contributors to Nigeria’s civilian transition.
The presence of posthumous awards further underlines the state’s intention to honour participants across generations, including those who did not live to see the present democratic order.
Frequently asked questions
How many Nigerians received national honours on Democracy Day 2026?
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians during the 2026 Democracy Day address on 12 June 2026.
Why is 12 June significant in Nigeria?
12 June marks the anniversary of the 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the military government of the time. The date is now observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Who are the most notable recipients of the 2026 national honours?
Notable recipients include Oladele Alake, Joe Igbokwe, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, alongside posthumous honourees such as Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Were any awards conferred posthumously?
Yes. Posthumous honours were conferred on Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi in recognition of their contributions to the pro-democracy struggle.
When will the national honours be formally presented?
President Tinubu stated that the formal presentation and conferment will take place in the coming days, with the full honours list to be released shortly after the announcement.
A short-statured Ghanaian woman has sparked online debate after making contentious remarks regarding her romantic relationship preferences.
During a recent interview with De God Son TV, the diminutive lady expressed her aversion to dating guys of shorter height despite her diminutive Ghanaian woman. She remarked that short men do not match her “specifications” for relationships.
When questioned about her explanation, she stated that she sees shorter men as resembling infants, even though they are adults.
“I have a 7-year-old son, so dating a short man feels like dating my son,” she explained, finding parallels between her personal and romantic lives.
Watch the video below.
Once again, Nigerian singer Davido has made headlines for proving his status as a rich man with two luxury cars entering Nigeria: a Rolls-Royce and a Tesla Cybertruck.
The musician posted a picture of the trip on social media, his pure white Rolls Royce parked on the runway, ready for shipment.
Another photo depicted the Tesla Cybertruck being loaded into an aircraft to verify the truck’s arrival in Nigeria.
Cubana Chief Priest, another close associate and entrepreneur, also saluted the new cars with an Instagram image. He congratulated Davido on his feats, dubbed him the “GOAT,” and hinted at a festive December with new vehicles added to the singer’s collection.
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