Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reinstate 20 generals and 18 other senior officers who were prematurely retired from the Nigerian Army eight years ago.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Falana, who represents the affected officers, emphasized that due process was disregarded in their removal. He also urged the president to honor the ruling of the National Industrial Court and the resolutions of the National Assembly, which had previously ordered the reinstatement of the officers.
“The Nigerian Army cannot and should not be allowed to treat the valid and subsisting order of the National Industrial Court and the National Assembly resolution on the 38 officers with levity,” Falana said.
The senior advocate argued that the officers, who were retired on June 9, 2016, were denied a fair hearing. He explained that the group included nine major generals, 11 brigadier generals, seven colonels, and 11 lieutenant colonels.
According to Falana, the military at the time alleged the officers were involved in misconduct, including partisanship during the 2015 general election, arms procurement fraud, and compromising national security. However, he maintained that these allegations were baseless, stating, “The infamous action on the 38 officers is patently illegal and unjustified.”
Falana appealed to Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to intervene and correct the injustice. “If you fail to intervene, the premature retirement of these 38 officers will send a wrong signal to serving military officers that it does not pay to offer selfless service to Nigeria,” he warned.
He also revealed that a formal letter had been sent to the president through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The letter seeks justice for the affected officers and urges Tinubu to act in accordance with the court ruling and legislative resolutions.
“We sincerely believe and are confident that AGF Fagbemi will do the needful and advise the President accordingly,” Falana concluded.
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