Buratai, Malami To Face Court Acton Over Soldier Arrested For Criticising Army Chief 1
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Buratai, Malami To Face Court Acton Over Soldier Arrested For Criticising Army Chief

I will institute contempt proceedings against Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Human rights activist and National President of Revolutionary Lawyers’ Forum, Mr Tope Akinyode, has said, over their refusal to adhere to court orders directing the release of a detained soldier, Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini.

It could be recalled that Idakpini was arrested for criticising the efforts of the army chief in containing the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east.

Which made the Abuja federal high court to order the army to grant Idakpini access to his wife and lawyer but that ruling has not been complied with.

Instead, the army has reportedly moved the lance corporal to Sokoto to be court-martialed.

In a statement on Monday, Akinyode said his client has developed ulcer because he has been denied food.

“Recall that on 22nd July, 2020, Hon. Justice Chikere of the Abuja Federal High Court ordered the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, and the attorney-general of the federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, to grant Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini, a detained soldier, access to his lawyer and family after I argued an ex parte application,” the lawyer said.

“We have served copies of the court order on both the chief of staff and the AGF. Also, I have personally discussed with the AGF over the issue and he assured me that the court order would be complied with. However, the reverse has been the case.

“The detained soldier has also been secretly moved to Sokoto to face a court martial and the military is illegally forcing a lawyer on him.

“We have considered the available legal options and since all the civil overtures to ensure compliance with the court order has broken down, we shall immediately proceed to court tomorrow and commence a committal for contempt proceedings against the chief of army staff and the AGF.”

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