Danjuma was right on call for self-defence – Falana

Activist-lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has backed the former
Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) on his call
for Nigerians to defend themselves against killers.

Falana said the Constitution recognises the right to protect
one’s self from violent attack.

He stated these at a training programme on libel organised by
the Vintage Press Limited (publishers of The Nation Newspapers) for
its reporters.

Falana was received by Vintage Press Managing Director, Victor
Ifijeh; Chairman of the Newspaper’s Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye;
General Manager Training and Development, Soji Omotunde and
Managing, Editor Online and Special Publications, Lekan
Otunfodurin, among others.

The lawyer, who noted that the media has been awash with
suggestions that Danjuma’s comments are call to anarchy, said the
retired army officer could sue critics of his statement for
libel.

He said: “Some of the reactions on Danjuma’s statement could be
libelous. What Danjuma said is accommodated under our
Constitution.”

Falana observed that although Section 33(1) of the 1999
Constitution recognises the right to life, such right might be
lawfully circumscribed in accordance with Section 33(2).

He added: “Section 33(2) says a person shall not be regarded as
having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use,
to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law,
of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any
person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

“If the government is unable to save you as in the case of
Benue, Kogi and Zamfara attacks, you have a right to defend and
save yourself.

“So, if you insult Danjuma that he is inciting violence, that
could be a ground for him to sue you for libel.”

Activist-lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has backed the former
Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) on his call
for Nigerians to defend themselves against killers.

Falana said the Constitution recognises the right to protect
one’s self from violent attack.

He stated these at a training programme on libel organised by
the Vintage Press Limited (publishers of The Nation Newspapers) for
its reporters.

Falana was received by Vintage Press Managing Director, Victor
Ifijeh; Chairman of the Newspaper’s Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye;
General Manager Training and Development, Soji Omotunde and
Managing, Editor Online and Special Publications, Lekan
Otunfodurin, among others.

The lawyer, who noted that the media has been awash with
suggestions that Danjuma’s comments are call to anarchy, said the
retired army officer could sue critics of his statement for
libel.

He said: “Some of the reactions on Danjuma’s statement could be
libelous. What Danjuma said is accommodated under our
Constitution.”

Falana observed that although Section 33(1) of the 1999
Constitution recognises the right to life, such right might be
lawfully circumscribed in accordance with Section 33(2).

He added: “Section 33(2) says a person shall not be regarded as
having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use,
to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law,
of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any
person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

“If the government is unable to save you as in the case of
Benue, Kogi and Zamfara attacks, you have a right to defend and
save yourself.

“So, if you insult Danjuma that he is inciting violence, that
could be a ground for him to sue you for libel.”