Human rights lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to ensure the reopening of Banex Plaza without further delay.
In a statement made available to Africa Health Report (AHR) on Thursday, Falana criticized the Nigerian Army’s response to the recent clash at Banex Plaza, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail.
He highlighted that the police had already intervened in the incident involving a dispute over a faulty phone, which escalated into a confrontation between traders and soldiers.
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the confrontation occurred when one Suleiman Ahmed, accompanied by four soldiers, tried to persuade shop owner Suleiman Ibrahim to replace a faulty phone, leading to resistance and a subsequent altercation.
‘The police swiftly arrested the suspects and restored order in the area.
The lawyer noted that the soldiers involved had been handed over to military authorities for appropriate action.
However, Falana condemned the subsequent invasion of Banex Plaza by about 50 armed soldiers, who shut down the market.
He criticized the military’s justification for this action,” Army spokesman Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who claimed the closure was to identify the “hoodlums” involved in the incident.
Falana stated, “Neither the Constitution nor the Armed Forces Act authorizes the Nigerian Army to investigate criminal offences involving citizens who are not subject to service law.” He added,
“It is high time that the armed forces were made to realize that in a country where the rule of law operates, institutions and individuals are not permitted to take the law into their hands.”
He urged General Lagbaja to reopen Banex Plaza immediately and advised the soldiers who were attacked to press charges against their assailants.
Falana emphasized that the incident was recorded on video, making it easier for the police to identify and prosecute the suspects.
AHR had previously reported that the Nigerian Army sealed the plaza following the violent clash.
Despite a meeting between the army and Banex Plaza management, where the temporary closure was agreed upon to identify the attackers, Falana firmly opposed the army’s actions, insisting that the rule of law must be upheld.
