The Nigerian Army in a recent statement by its Acting Director of
Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, has explained why it took over the
premises of Mr. Robert Azibaola, a cousin of Ex-President Goodluck
Jonathan.
Reports show that soldiers have been stationed over the premises of
the former president’s cousin company, Kakarta Civil Engineering
Limited, located along the Kubwa/Asokoro Expressway.
“The said property is on Nigerian Army’s land and the Army will not allow anybody to encroach on its land. He said
“Consequently, the property has to be sealed to prevent further encroachment.” He added.
However, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Nigerian Army over the seizure of the property belonging to Mr. Robert Azibaola without any court order.
According to Falana, Mr. Azibaola is innocent until he is proven otherwise.
“Sequel to the illegal action of the Army of occupation, the innocent workers in the company have been sent to the unemployment market. Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged Mr. Azibaola to court for alleged criminal diversion of $40m from the office of the National Security Adviser, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and has been granted bail.
The implication of the plea is that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the prosecution.
“Therefore, if the Nigerian military authorities had wanted to dispossess him of the property in question, they ought to have applied for a court order. But by taking over the property under the pretext that it constitutes a threat to a nearby military barracks, the military authorities took the law into their hands.
“The forceful seizure of the property should not be tolerated in a civilised society which operates under the rule of law.”
“The said property is on Nigerian Army’s land and the Army will not allow anybody to encroach on its land. He said
“Consequently, the property has to be sealed to prevent further encroachment.” He added.
However, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Nigerian Army over the seizure of the property belonging to Mr. Robert Azibaola without any court order.
According to Falana, Mr. Azibaola is innocent until he is proven otherwise.
“Sequel to the illegal action of the Army of occupation, the innocent workers in the company have been sent to the unemployment market. Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged Mr. Azibaola to court for alleged criminal diversion of $40m from the office of the National Security Adviser, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and has been granted bail.
The implication of the plea is that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the prosecution.
“Therefore, if the Nigerian military authorities had wanted to dispossess him of the property in question, they ought to have applied for a court order. But by taking over the property under the pretext that it constitutes a threat to a nearby military barracks, the military authorities took the law into their hands.
“The forceful seizure of the property should not be tolerated in a civilised society which operates under the rule of law.”