"America Cannot": Lawyer Finally Lists 2 Legal Ways US Army Can Enter Nigeria, Explains Them
- A Nigerian lawyer has reacted to Donald Trump’s threat to send soldiers to Nigeria, explaining what the law says about one country interfering in another’s affairs
- In a viral TikTok video, she broke down the legal side of Trump’s statement and mentioned the only conditions that could make such an action lawful
- Her explanation has stirred mixed reactions online, as many Nigerians shared their opinions on Trump’s claim
A Nigerian lawyer has finally explained what the law says regarding the right of one country to interfere in another, amid the threat made by the US president, Donald Trump, to send soldiers to Nigeria to end what he called a Christian genocide.
The US president, in a lengthy statement, claimed there is genocide against Christians in Nigeria and urged the government to act fast, warning that the United States might be forced to intervene.
Source: TikTok
Nigerian lawyer reacts to Trump’s threat
After his statement, the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, dismissed the genocide claims while explaining that his administration recognises all faiths in the country and remains committed to promoting unity.
In the middle of this, a Nigerian lawyer took to social media to give a breakdown of what the law says about such threats made by Donald Trump
According to a post she made on her TikTok page, @benedicta.wokocha, she explained that it is illegal for any country in the world to invade another. However, she noted that this could become legal if certain steps are followed.
In her statement, she mentioned that there are only two situations in which another country can interfere in the affairs of a sovereign nation, whether militarily or otherwise.
She listed the first as self-defense, and the second as matters involving the United Nations.
In her TikTok video, she made some statements which read in part:
“Does America have the right to invade Nigeria and meddle in her internal affairs?
"Let’s find out. Under international laws, Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, every state is sovereign. That is the principle of territorial sovereignty, which prohibits the use of force against another country.
"This means that no country, including the United States, has the legal right to meddle in the internal affairs of another country except in two situations.”
She then highlighted the two circumstances that could permit such actions:
"1. Self-defense, 2. Mass atrocities like genocide and crimes against humanity.”
She explained further:
“Genocide is the intentional killing of an ethnic, racial, or religious group, such as Christians.
"Sovereignty entails responsibility, meaning every state must protect its population from genocide and crimes against humanity.
"If a state fails to do so, and peaceful means of resolution also fail, the international community through the United Nations, may intervene with the use of military force, but only with authorization from the UN Security Council.”
Source: TikTok
Speaking about the United States, she continued:
“America cannot unlawfully invade Nigeria on its own unless the UN Security Council authorizes it.
"Any form of foreign invasion without UN authorization on Nigeria is a crime of aggression and a violation of international and domestic laws.
"So if they intend to address the alleged genocide crisis, due process must be followed to validate any action and de-escalate the situation.”
As she made the statement, Nigerians stormed the comment section of her post to share their thoughts.
Reactions as lawyer speaks on Trump’s statement
jennifer0aniston001 wrote:
"If them come watin them do Lybia go worst pass us if them come we should solve our problems ourselves we the citizens need to wake up and stop looking for engagement."
TONALEYO JACKSON noted:
"Did the UN agree before US invaded Iran?"
smithkings945 stressed:
"Charge and bail lawyers everywhere."
Sonofmercy shared:
"US have been invading hundreds of countries and all we do is keep quiet and even support them, now they want to invade us we are now knowing the meaning of sovereignty."
ojemba enweilo2 added:
"That’s non of our business the American must come in for peace."
Naritek wrote:
"At this point, force is allowed, Nigeria is almost dexd, we are tired of the evil from the political rulers."
I.B stressed:
"All this one no concern B2 and trump."
WORLD YOUTH PRESIDENT shared:
"great Nigeria youth great, make we all rise now to fight this bandit and this US government that is coming so to make things worst for us they are not coming to help us great Nigeria youth great, let us fix our country now, great Nigeria youth great."
Ige Olumuyiwa added:
"Hmm. You are doing well my sister, but international law is very weak when it concerns the big countries like the US, Russia,etc."
wizzy noted:
"Why u guys never use the legal right to fight for the killing or stop it for all dis while."
Jason said:
"This is about power not law or legality."
Legit.ng reached out to the Nigerian lawyer who recently addressed the legal issues surrounding Donald Trump’s statement about sending US soldiers to Nigeria. She took time to explain how international law views the sovereignty of nations and the strict rules around military intervention.
On the topic of what could happen if a country acted without UN approval, she emphasized that consequences are serious and multi-layered.
She explained:
“Nigeria could bring a case against the aggressor state in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), for the crime of aggression, which is a serious breach of international law.”
She went on to highlight the international reactions that could follow:
“There would also be global condemnation and potential sanctions from the UN and other states and isolation. But which country would want to sanction or isolate the USA?”
She further added that diplomatic and economic repercussions might come into play:
"There could be severance of diplomatic relations or trade embargoes."
Turning to whether threats of this nature could ever be considered legal, she stressed the importance of respecting sovereignty.
According to her:
“If Trump (or any leader) threatens to invade Nigeria without UN approval, that would be illegal under international law, because Nigeria is a sovereign state.”
She also clarified how the law views such threats:
“It would be considered a threat of aggression, which is a serious violation."
And if words were acted upon, the consequences would escalate:
"It could potentially be a crime of aggression if the threat turns into action."
The lawyer also elaborated on how the UN determines when acts qualify as genocide or crimes against humanity. She stressed that this is a careful, evidence-based process:
“The United Nations relies on strict legal definitions and a multi-step verification process."
She gave an example of what counts as genocide:
“For example, the Genocide (1948 Genocide Convention) defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group."
She detailed the types of acts that fall under this definition:
"Acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions to destroy the group, preventing births, and forcibly transferring children."
She emphasized that intent is central to the legal definition:
"The key element is the specific intent to destroy the group."
She also pointed out that the UN does not make these declarations lightly:
“The UN does not automatically declare genocide. It usually follows a careful fact-finding and assessment process."
Breaking down that process, she described how multiple sources and investigations contribute to a decision:
“UN bodies, NGOs, and human rights organizations submit reports. Early warning mechanisms monitor potential crises. Data sources include satellite imagery, government records, refugee testimony, and independent investigations."
She further elaborated on the role of investigative teams and experts:
“The UN may send special rapporteurs, commissions of inquiry, or investigative teams. Experts analyze the evidence against the Genocide Convention and Rome Statute definitions. They evaluate intent, scale, and systematic nature of crimes. Only with credible evidence of specific intent to destroy a protected group is genocide formally considered."
She also noted the role of the Security Council:
“The UN Secretary-General may submit a report to the Security Council or General Assembly. The Security Council may then authorize action."
On the binding power of the UN Charter over countries like the United States, she acknowledged the legal obligations but also the political realities:
“The United Nations Charter (1945) is a legally binding international treaty. All UN Member States, including the United States, are bound by it."
She added that the Charter supersedes other agreements:
“Under Article 103 of the Charter, if there is a conflict between obligations under the UN Charter and any other international agreement, the UN Charter prevails."
She also clarified the domestic implications for the US:
“The US ratified the Charter through its domestic constitutional process, meaning it is legally binding under both international and US law."
However, she cautioned that enforcement is often complicated:
“Yes, the UN Charter is binding, but enforcement is the challenge. The U.S. is a permanent member with veto power under Article 27(3). This means the U.S. can block any resolution aimed at sanctioning or condemning its own actions. So, even though the Charter is binding, enforcement mechanisms are most times political, not automatic."
Finally, she advised on what Nigeria could do to show it is responsibly addressing human rights issues internally:
“Deploy human rights observers and civilian protection units internally in conflict-prone areas. Publicize ongoing relief, rehabilitation, and peacebuilding operations in affected regions."
She further highlighted collaboration with local and international bodies:
“Work closely with the National Human Rights Commission, local NGOs, and international partners to show that the government is not ignoring the crisis. Immediately announce independent judicial or administrative inquiries into any alleged killings or ethnic violence. Ensure that findings are made public and that those responsible are prosecuted, regardless of their rank or affiliation."
On communication strategy, she emphasized careful messaging:
“Avoid rhetoric that appears dismissive or defensive. Instead, communicate a message of responsible governance: ‘Nigeria acknowledges challenges but reaffirms its commitment to protect all citizens and uphold human rights."
She also stressed the importance of diplomatic support:
“This narrative deprives external powers of any moral or political justification for unilateral intervention. Secure diplomatic backing from China, Russia, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and other states that traditionally oppose unilateral interventions. These countries can veto or block any attempt by the U.S. to seek retroactive Security Council approval for military action."
Finally, she highlighted the importance of regional coordination:
“Work closely with ECOWAS states to maintain border security and avoid spillover effects that might be used as an excuse for external entry."
Watch the video below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man went viral after reacting to Donald Trump’s statement accusing Nigeria of genocide. The man described the former US president’s claims as false.
Man writes Trump, tells him to back off
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that a Nigerian man went viral after writing an open message to former US president Donald Trump and the US Army amid his threat to Nigeria. The man urged Trump to stay out of the country’s affairs, stressing that President Bola Tinubu is fully capable of handling Nigeria’s internal challenges.
In his post, he clarified that Nigeria’s problems are not religious but rooted in insecurity, adding that the nation does not need foreign interference.
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Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
