With due respect, I write to call attention of Nigerian Army Council to the plight of some dismissed soldiers. Since the inception of this democratic dispensation, more than 2,000 soldiers have been dismissed for various offences allegedly committed contrary to Armed Forces Act Cap A20, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).
Some of them have petitioned the concerned authorities against the decision of the military in their various units or commands on the heels of these actions and in line with Sections 147, 179 and 191 of the AFA Cap A20, LFN 2004 (as amended). Majority of them have also petitioned the National Assembly and received negative response that the decision of the Nigerian Army is final and as such no appealing in regards to this.
The greatest problem has been the ignorance or refusal of units to entertain complaints or reinstate the dismissed soldiers. The Nigerian Army deliberately refused to follow procedure or believes that their earlier actions are final. The inability of the Nigerian Army to follow the proper procedure is not helping in maintenance of discipline in the Nigerian Army.
It is pertinent to note that Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the lawmakers to investigate any activity of government Ministry or Department by a resolution. In light of the above, I wish to suggest the following for your kind consideration:
That the power to rejab/reinstatement of the dismissed soldiers upon petitioning be vested on the minister of defence and the lawmakers only; that the Directorate of Army Legal Services should be compelled to look into the petitions against unlawful dismissal from the Nigerian Army and to deal with any commander accordingly, that the C-in-C should set up a body to investigate the petitions received against unlawful dismissal; that some petitions were not treated according to the due process of law.
Consequently, I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into these pleas of the 88 soldiers dismissed from 118 Task Force Battalion, Kaura-Cross in Baga, Borno state for alleged of six days desertion, 34 newly passed out soldiers from Depot NA, Zaria in 2016 for BVN and certificated problem, then for the commanders to remain steadfast in strict adherence to their duties and policies and also refuse unholy attempt at creating charges on the service personnel anymore. If this is done, we will ever live to remember you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, God bless the Nigerian Army, God bless you sir.
Barrister Johnson Oye Oyewole,
Abuja.
