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| Hon. Ndudi Elumelu during plenary in the Green Chambers. |
The House of
Representatives has begun the process to rescue a soldier, Lance Corporal
Martins Idakpein, who was detained for criticising Nigeria service chiefs over
the rising spate of insecurity in the Country.
This was sequel to a
motion to that effect moved by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu at the resume plenary of the House on
Thursday 2nd July, 2020.
The motion titled, ‘A call
on the Nigerian Army to release Lance Corporal Martins Idakpein from arrest
based on His expressed opinion,’ was seconded by Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso.
In adopting the motion,
the House requested that Lance Corporal Idakpein should be brought before the
relevant House committees and the leadership, to brief them of the happening in
the northern part of the country, while mandating the Committees on Defense and
Army to investigate the alleged detention of Lance Corporal Martin’s ldakpein
and his wife.
ldakpein, from the 8
Division, Sokoto, of the Nigerian Army, had criticised the Chief of Army Staff,
Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and other service chiefs in a viral video over the
handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Subsequently, ldakpein was
arrested and moved from Sokoto to Abuja. His wife, Victoria, was also arrested
after she granted a media interview, calling for the release of her husband.
In leading the debate Hon.
Elumelu stated that the lance corporal had alleged through an on-line video
that he has proof to show how Nigerian funds are being wasted in the name of
fighting the insurgency in the Northeast which has led to the wanton waste of
lives of Nigerians.
Elumelu expressed concern
that instead of the allegation to be investigated, the lance corporal was
arrested by the military alongside his wife, a civilian, who went to plead for
his release.
“The House is disturbed
that though Section 122 of the Armed Forces Act forbids the military from
perpetually detaining any officer, Lance Corporal Martins ldakpein, has been
held in detention till date and his wife who tried to secure his release has
also been detained.
“This is an affront to the
letters of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria as amended, which guarantees the fundamental human rights of citizens,
the Minority leader stated.
The motion and the resolutions
read in whole:
MOTION BY RT. HON.NDUDI
ELUMELU THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
A CALL ON THE NIGERIA ARMY
TO RELEASE LANCE CORPORAL MARTINS IDAKPEIN FROM
ARREST ON THE BASIS OF HIS EXPRESSED OPINION
The house notes that on
22nd of June 2020 , lance corporal Martins Idakpein from the 8 division sokoto
of the Nigeria army made an online video wherein he condemned the lackadaisical
attitude of security chiefs towards the incessant attacks and killings of
innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram and other armed groups in the northern part of
our country.
Further notes that in the
said video he mentioned that the nation’s security chiefs had failed Nigerians
in their duty to protect the country and its citizens by not showing any
serious commitment towards the fight against these continuous attacks by dissidents,
bandits and criminals in the northern part of the country, thereby putting the
whole nation in a state of panic and uncertainties.
Worried that instead of
the security chiefs after seeing the video to buckle up and be up to their
duties in protecting the country and its populace, the chief of army staff
ordered that lance corporal Martins be
arrested and moved from sokoto to Abuja for speaking up against the army
authorities.
Concerned that though
section 121 of the armed forces act, grants the military the restrictive powers
to arrest its personnel but section 122(6) of the same act provides that such
personnel is entitled to immediate release, unless the release will be a threat
to national security and lance corporal Martins Idakpein has not proven to be a
threat in any way.
Disturbed that though
Section 122 of the armed forces act, forbids the military from perpetually
detaining any officer. Lance Corporal Martins Idakpein has been held in
detention till date and his wife who tried to secure his release has also been
detained too, this is an affront to the letters of chapter 4 of the 1999
constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended which guarantees the
fundamental human rights of citizens.
Acknowledge that the military who are suppose to protect the
territorial integrity as well as enforce the laws of our nation are in a habit
of these illegal, wrongful and unconstitutional detention of soldiers whenever
they ask that the right things be done.
Further acknowledge
that if these trends are left unchecked,
it may become a serious menace that can fan the embers of our nascent democracy
for the wrong reason, hence the need for urgent intervention and caution to the
Nigeria military.
RESOLVE
1.That the house mandates
its committee on army to interface with the leadership of the Nigeria army to
urgently release the wife of the lance corporal,Mrs Idakpein.
2.That the house mandates
its committees on defense and army to investigate the alleged detention of
Lance Corporal Martin’s Idakpein and his wife.
3.That lance corporal Martin’s Idakpein should be
brought before the relevant House committees and the leadership to brief them
of the happening in the northern part of
the country from information within his knowledge.
RESOLVE
1.That the house mandates
its committee on army to interface with the leadership of the Nigeria army to
urgently release the wife of the lance corporal,Mrs Idakpein.
2.That the house mandates
its committees on defense and army to investigate the alleged detention of
Lance Corporal Martin’s Idakpein and his wife.
3.That lance corporal Martin’s Idakpein should be
brought before the relevant House committees and the leadership to brief them
of the happening in the northern part of
the country from information within his knowledge.
RESOLVE
1.That the house mandates
its committee on army to interface with the leadership of the Nigeria army to
urgently release the wife of the lance corporal,Mrs Idakpein.
2.That the house mandates
its committees on defense and army to investigate the alleged detention of
Lance Corporal Martin’s Idakpein and his wife.
3.That lance corporal Martin’s Idakpein should be
brought before the relevant House committees and the leadership to brief them
of the happening in the northern part of
the country from information within his knowledge.
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