Reps Seek Badejo’s Release

The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, to order the immediate release of a community leader in Nasarawa State, Bello Badejo, from unlawful detention and to also apologise to him for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.

The House also invited Generals Musa, Oluyede, and the Commanding Officer of the 177th battalion to appear before its committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, which the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Hon. Mansur Soro, moved at the plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, Soro said on December 9, the community leader, Badejo, was arrested in Maliya town of Nassarawa state in a commando style by the officers of the 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army with no prior invitation or court injunction.

The lawmaker said the arrest was allegedly in connection to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.

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He expressed concern that one week after the arrest, Badejo is yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction as required by the extant laws of the land.

“Disturbed that the continued detention of Alh Bello Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charge(s) is a violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for, in sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the FRN, 1999 as amended,“ Soro stated.

The House, on adopting the motion, condemned the officers of the 177 battalion‘s attempt to take over the work of the Nigerian Police and the courts in resolving disputes between citizens.