The House of Representatives has summoned Nigerian Army top brass
to explain why officers under their command have allegedly violated provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Those summoned include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
They are to appear before the Reps joint Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20 December 2024.
The summons followed a resolution sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mansur Manu Soro (PDP, Bauchi).
The Reps in plenary, also directed the Army top brass to effect the immediate release of one Alhaji Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and to issue an apology for infringing upon his constitutionally-protected human rights.
The House roundly condemned the actions of some officers of the 177 Battalion for attempting to usurp the roles of the Nigerian Police and the judiciary in resolving disputes among citizens.
While presenting his motion, Manu Soro drew the attention of the House to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution that guaranteed citizens’ fundamental human rights.
He emphasised the right to life and dignity of the human person even as he pointed out laws restricting the operations of the Nigerian military to protecting external and territorial integrity of Nigeria while acting in aid of the civil authorities.
Rep Soro recalled that Alhaji Bello Badejo, a distinguished community leader in Maliya, Nasarawa State, was on 9th of December 2024, arrested by officers of the 177 Battalion without prior invitation or court injunction.
The Rep member said Alhaji Badejo was arrested allegedly in connection to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.
According to him, Badejo was being detained illegally without being arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction as required by the laws of the land.
He described the continued detention of Bello Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charge(s) as a violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for in Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
END