Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has strongly criticized the Nigerian army’s declaration of eight individuals as wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 28, Falana cautioned the military against mishandling the investigation into the slain soldiers’ case. He emphasized that the military lacks the authority to arrest, detain, investigate, or charge civilian suspects with any offense.
Falana referenced legal precedents to support his argument, citing cases such as Dr. Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army and Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, where courts ruled that the military cannot arrest or investigate civilians without proper legal procedures.
He further highlighted a recent ruling by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, warning the military not to overstep its bounds and usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police in investigating crimes.
Falana stressed that murder is not a military offense and urged the federal government to direct the defense headquarters to transfer the investigation of the suspects involved in the soldiers’ killing to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
He concluded by warning that if the federal government fails to intervene and rein in the defense headquarters, the handling of the case could be severely compromised.
