ACTIVIST-LAWYER Femi Falana (SAN) on Wednesday said the Army had
no authority to set up a panel of enquiry on soldiers’ killing of
policemen on outskirt of Taraba State on August 7.
At a Civil Society media roundtable on inter-agency conflict in
Abuja, he said the investigative panel was diversionary and
illegal.
He called for its immediate disbandment.
Falana said: “As a result of the violent attack, three policemen
and a civilian were killed in cold blood while other policemen were
seriously injured. After the brutal killing, the soldiers proceeded
to free the alleged notorious suspect.
“In a bid to cover up the unlawful killing of the four people,
the authorities of the Nigerian Army claimed that it was a case of
mistaken identity.
“Notwithstanding the spurious claim, the Chief of Defence
Staff-General Abayomi Olonisakin, was reported to have set up a
panel of enquiry to unravel what led to the unlawful killing of the
four people.
“The setting up of the panel is diversionary, illegal and ultra
vires.
“Since the slain civilian and policemen were not subject to
service law, the military authorities lack the vires to cause an
investigation to be conducted into a murder case covered by Section
4 of the Police Act.”
Falana said although the panel had commenced investigation, it
had no legal basis.
According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff had no power under
the Armed Forces Act, the Commission of Enquiry Law of Taraba State
or any other law to institute the panel.
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