The face off between the Nigerian Army and the entire Okuama Community in Delta State seems to be far from ending.
The Nigerian Army appears extremely angered by the act and they have taken many measures in their quest for justice.
One of such measures was declaring some suspects wanted.
A move which human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) describes as illegal.
To Falana, the federal government ought to direct the army to hand over the investigation.
He asserted that murder is not an offence that warrants the investigation of the defence headquarters.
Call To Order
Falana did not end there, he also said that if the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order, the murder case would be bungled.
The lawyer stated this while reacting to the wanted lists published by the Nigerian Army.
Speaking via a statement, he said, “The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.
“In Dr Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu said, “It must be stated here without equivocation that the defendant [Nigerian Army] has no right to declare the plaintiff wanted without following the appropriate procedure.
A Formal Report
“The Judge further said that the defendant cannot arrest the plaintiff arbitrarily.
Without making a formal report to law enforcement agency with the mandate to enforce law and order.
Otherwise, it would transmute to self-help.
The duty of the defendant is to make a formal report to the appropriate authority like the police and await the outcome.
“In Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, the Army, Inspector General of Police & the Nigerian Police Force.
The Federal High Court held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody, anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law.
The Power Of The Police
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday, warned the military not to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act.
It empowers the police to detect and investigate crime.
“We have also read that the 8 people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the DHQ.
It is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order.
In Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
A high court in Abuja ruled that the EFCC lacks the powers to declare anyone wanted.
Without obtaining a court order or charging the suspect with an offence.
Illegal Decision
“The presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa ruled that though the EFCC could declare as wanted persons who fail to honour its invitation for investigation.
It could only do so if it obtains a court order for that purpose.
So, the decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.
“Let the federal government direct the defence headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers.
Also Read: #OkuamaMassacre: Identity Of Persons Declared Wanted Over Killing Of Soldiers
It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the defence headquarters.
If the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order.
The case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”
