Femi Falana, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has urged President Bola Tinubu to restore 38 Nigerian Army commanders who were prematurely retired eight years ago.
Falana, the counsel for the 38 soldiers, also urged Tinubu to take judicial notice of the fact that the then-administration of President Muhammadu Buhari refused to comply with the National Industrial Court’s order and the National Assembly’s resolutions directing their reinstatement.
Falana made the statement during a media interview in Lagos on Wednesday.
The human rights lawyer also alleged unfairness and a lack of fair hearing in the case of the 38 cops, claiming that due process was not followed in their case.
He consequently requested their restoration on the basis that they had not committed any offense.
Falana further alleged that the Nigerian Army compelled the officers to resign on June 9, 2016, claiming that the unfair retirement impacted nine major generals, eleven brigadier-generals, seven colonels, and eleven lieutenant colonels.
According to the then military authorities, their offences included partisanship during the general election of 2015, involvement in arms procurement fraud and jeopardising national security.
Falana said, “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I wish to inform President Tinubu that what happened to the 38 Army officers under the previous administration is incredible and unfortunate. I’m also using this medium to inform you that the infamous action on the 38 officers is patently illegal and unjustified.
