Allegations of Rights Violation
The Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to summon the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion following the alleged unlawful arrest of community leader Bello Badejo in Maliya town, Nassarawa State. The arrest was carried out by the 177 Battalion on December 9, 2024, without any prior notice or legal basis, according to Honourable Mansur Soro who proposed the motion during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Soro emphasized that Badejo has not been brought before a court even a week after his detention, highlighting a potential breach of constitutional rights as per sections 34, 35, and 36 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. This action by the military has been criticized as an overstep of authority and a direct violation of human rights.
Demands for Action
The House has urged the CDS and CAS to immediately release Badejo and issue an apology for the infringement on his rights. Furthermore, the House insists that these military leaders appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2024, at 3:00 pm, where they are expected to clarify the actions of their subordinates and address the constitutional violations.
