News
We’re suing FG over service chiefs tenure – Falana
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), says a court process will be filed this week seeking the removal of the service chiefs based on the expiration of their tenure.
Falana said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.
He had argued that it was illegal for the President, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to extend the tenure of chiefs.
When asked why no one had challenged the matter in court if indeed it was illegal, Falana said, “I can assure you that it is already being escalated. To the best of my knowledge, a suit will be filed during the week in respect of this matter.”
Falana recalled that activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), who now serves as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment had sued the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government for failing to seek the approval of the Senate before appointing the service chiefs.
He said the Federal High Court had stated while delivering judgement that the National Assembly must approve the appointment of service chiefs before they can be installed.
The activist said it stands to reason that if the Senate approved the appointment of service chiefs, then the Senate’s approval must be sought before their tenure could be extended.
The senior advocate said, “My colleague who is now a minister in this government, secured a judgment that service chiefs must be approved by the Senate and President Jonathan had to seek the approval of the National Assembly in line with the judgment of the court.
“Now, going by that judgement, the President cannot extend the expired tenure of service chiefs without going to the National Assembly. So, when the House of Representatives recently passed a solution that the service chiefs should go, they should have relied on the judgment to say you cannot extend without approval if you cannot appoint without our approval.”
When asked if he implied that Buhari was breaking the law, Falana responded, “for sure.”
Falana said under the Public Service Rules and the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service of Military Officers and under Section 26 of the Armed Forces Act, there was no provision for the extension of tenure beyond the period stipulated by law.
The activist said it was wrong even though it had been done in the past.
“You cannot extend the tenure of certain officers while you ask others to go upon putting in 35 years in office,” he said.
-
News23 hours ago
Military frees abducted Lagos editor Segun Olatunji
-
featured14 hours ago
Song lyrics are now simpler, angrier, more self-obsessed – Study
-
News15 hours ago
Tinubu appoints new chairman for code of conduct bureau
-
News16 hours ago
Easter: IGP assures police commitment to public safety
-
Entertainment15 hours ago
Why I became transgender – Bobrisky
-
News16 hours ago
Nationwide blackout imminent as national grid collapses
-
News5 hours ago
Lagos postpones Easter boat race
-
News6 hours ago
Woman loses pregnancy in Anambra after eight days detention