Christian lawyers raise alarm over national security – TheNigerialawyer

Christian Lawyers Fellowship Of Nigeria, CLASFON, has expressed
dismay over the continuous downward slide of the state of security
in the country.

The body noted that the security challenges were evident in
various cases of killing of innocent and hapless citizens and
non-citizens whose security and protection is the primary function
of government.

A communique jointly issued by Arome Okwori and Olatunji Omole,
National President and National Secretary at the
President-In-Council meeting of CLASFON at Aba, Abia state said,
“CLASFON is saddened at the continuous downward slide of the state
of security in our nation as evidenced in various cases of killing
of innocent and hapless citizens and non-citizens whose security
and protection is the primary function of government.

“Incidences also abound in the daily kidnap and abduction of
citizens and non-citizens in most States of the Federation.
CLASFON calls on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to take seriously the
responsibility of the protection of the lives and properties of all
residents of Nigeria as provided by the Constitution and other
relevant laws.”

Analysing the recent general elections in the country, it noted,
“CLASFON observes with dismay the widespread irregularities and
total disregard for the rules of engagement as contained in extant
laws by major stakeholders that characterised the general elections
conducted recently by the Independent National Election Commission
(INEC).”

CLASFON urged the federal government to heed the call for
electoral reforms with a view to giving Nigeria an electoral system
that would dignify Nigeria in the comity of truly democratic
nations.

“CLASFON further calls on members of the recently constituted
Election Petition Tribunals at all levels who are perceived to have
personal interest by reason of their personal affiliations to
recuse themselves in the interest of justice, good conscience and
fair play.

“CLASFON observes with grave concern the persistent failure of
the government to work assiduously to facilitate the release of
Leah Sharibu and other abducted school girls.

“CLASFON calls upon the federal government of Nigeria to leave
no stone unturned to secure the release of Leah Sharibu and other
girls in the custody and captivity of the Book Haram
insurgents.

“CLASFON observes with dismay the flagrant disregard of the
Constitution in the arrest and continued detention without charge
of the traditional and community leaders of the Adara Chiefdom in
Kajuru Local Area of Kaduna State.

“CLASFON calls on the governor of Kaduna state to respect the
rule of law as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution in compliance
with his oaths of allegiance and of office,” participants at the
meeting observed.

Participants observed with dismay the neglect of the welfare of
the staff of Kogi State Judiciary by the non-payment of their
salaries resulting in the deterioration and near collapse of the
justice system in Kogi State.

“CLASFON also observes the unconstitutional means deployed in
driving Government Policy by the Kogi State Governor. We view steps
taken in this direction as a flagrant usurpation of the powers
conferred on constitutional organ and tantamount to dictatorial
despotism.

“The said action of the Governor led to the strike that has shut
down the courts for several months thereby denying common citizens
access to justice. We, therefore, demand that the Governor of Kogi
State should follow constitutional means in driving governance
since Nigeria is a constitutional democracy,” the communique
explained.

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