Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has written an open letter to Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari asking for presidential pardon for all convicted members of the armed forces.
Falana who defended the soldiers accused of mutiny in court, explained to Buhari that at the trials the only “offence” proved against the accused soldiers was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the well armed terrorists. But the soldiers whose cases were handled by us anchored their defence on Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which permits “a soldier, rating or aircraftman to make a complaint to his commanding officer and that he shall not be penalised for having made a complaint”.
Falana who defended the soldiers accused of mutiny in court, explained to Buhari that at the trials the only “offence” proved against the accused soldiers was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the well armed terrorists. But the soldiers whose cases were handled by us anchored their defence on Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which permits “a soldier, rating or aircraftman to make a complaint to his commanding officer and that he shall not be penalised for having made a complaint”.