Olusegun Ariyo
The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, to immediately release Bello Badejo from unlawful detention.
The Green Chamber also summoned Musa, Oluyede, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20th December 2024, at 3:00 p.m. to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
It further directed the military to apologise to Badejo for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at plenary on Tuesday by Hon. Mansur Soro.
Moving the motion, Soro stated that on the 9th of December 2024, Badejo was arrested in Maliya town of Nasarawa State in a commando-style operation by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army without prior invitation or a court injunction.
He noted that the arrest was allegedly connected to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.
Soro expressed concern that one week after the arrest, Badejo had yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction, as required by extant laws.
He emphasized that the continued detention of Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charges was a violation of his fundamental human rights, as provided for in Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The House resolved as follows:
– Condemn the attempt by the officers of the 177 Battalion to usurp the role of the Nigerian Police and the courts in resolving disputes between citizens.
– Call on the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to order the immediate release of Alhaji Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and to apologise to him for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.
– Invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20th December 2024, at 3:00 p.m. to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
