Army Has No Right To Declare Civilians Wanted – Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has said that the Nigerian Army does not have any right to declare civilians wanted.

This is following the announcement by the Army, that three people, Ahmad Salkida, (Ambassador) Ahmed U. Bolori and Aisha Wakil, were wanted in connection with the missing Chibok girls.
The lawyer also added that by declaring the three people wanted, the Army had violated their rights of dignity of the person and fair hearing as provided by the constitution.

Falana said the powers to declare anybody wanted rests solely on the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Police.

The human rights lawyer also described the action of the Army as illegal and unconstitutional, saying it hijacked the powers of the police and DSS.

According to Falana “Realizing that we are under a constitutional democracy which requires that the infringement of the rights of any citizen be justified in law, the army has relied on the provisions of the country’s anti terrorism legislation.

“Since the wanted persons are not serving military personnel who are subject to service law they cannot be investigated or tried under the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 LFN, 2004,” he said.
“Furthermore, under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended the army has not been authorized to perform any duty whatsoever.”

Falana also accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of covering up corruption cases like the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.