The House of Representatives has resolved to summon the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, and the Commander of the 177 Battalion over the alleged illegal arrest and detention of a community leader, Bello Badejo, in Nasarawa State.
Honorable Mansur Soro, who moved the motion during Tuesday's plenary, revealed that on December 9, 2024, personnel of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army arrested Bello Badejo in Maliya, Nasarawa State, without any formal invitation or court order.
The military officers were accused of detaining Badejo without following due process, a violation of Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which uphold fundamental human rights.
Honorable Soro further noted that despite being held for over a week, Bello Badejo has yet to be arraigned before any court, calling this act an abuse of power and a clear breach of human rights.
The House called on the military authorities to urgently release Alhaji Bello Badejo and issue a formal apology for the infringement on his constitutional rights.
The summoned military chiefs are expected to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, to provide explanations on the matter.
