Chief of army staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has said the Nigerian Army firmly believes in the rule of law and will continue to uphold human rights at all times.
The COAS who said this while inaugurating the new headquarters complex of the directorate of legal services (Army) in Abuja, also performed ground breaking for the construction of 700 houses of different types at Army Command Estate Asokoro Phase 2.
He reiterated the commitment of the army to work with the other services, agencies and stakeholders to provide a safe and secure environment for free, fair and credible elections.
He also warned mischief makers to abide by the law of the land and not interfere with the process to allow citizens to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He said the team of military lawyers at the directorate had continued to render valuable professional legal advice and guidance to the Nigerian army in line with the constitution and international best practices.
He said the new complex could be best described as a dream come true for the directorate and indeed the Nigerian army, adding that the army under his watch had continued to improve on its infrastructure to provide a conducive working environment at its establishments, formations and units across the country.
According to him, the directorate of legal services is the trust bearer of the Nigerian army on all legal issues and overtime, the directorate has grown, developed and distinguished itself in the temple of justice.
“The effort of the directorate in providing timely and balanced legal advice and services, contributing to the overall drive of the Nigerian army in carrying out its constitutional roles within the ambit of the law.
“Recall section 149 subsection 3 of the armed forces act provides that and I quote, “before the confirming authority takes action under section 150 of the act on a record of trial by court martial, the confirming authority shall obtain from the directorate of legal service of the armed forces legal review of the case,” the army chief stated.
