Falana: No Legal Basis To Deploy Soldiers In Nnamdi Kanu’s House

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has declared that there is no legal the deployment of soldiers in the family house of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in Umuahia, Abia State.

In a statement on Wednesday, Falana insisted that the involvement of soldiers in the place is illegal urging President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the armed troops to withdraw and return to their barracks forthwith.

He also asked that the Commissioner of Police in Abia State be allowed to take over Kanu’s case in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Police Act.

Falana regretted that no conscious efforts have been made by the civilian government to demilitarise the country since power was transferred from former military dictators to the civilian wing of the political class in May 1999.

“Hence, armed soldiers have been allowed to continue to be involved in the maintenance of law and order in all the states of the federation,” he said.

“Up till now, state governments have allowed armed soldiers to remain members of the police anti robbery squads.

“They have been deployed, from time to time, by the President to deal with the menace of herdsmen and kidnappers.

“They have just been authorised to deal ruthlessly with civilians who are involved in any form of agitation for self determination.

“There is no legal basis for authorising the Nigerian army to take over police duties. Even under the defunct military era in Nigeria, the military dictators had to declare a state of emergency to legitimise the usurpation of police powers by the armed forces.”