Femi Falana, a senior advocate of
Nigeria (SAN), says national security is subject to the rule of law.
He said President Muhammadu
Buhari should not place government security above the security of individual
Nigerians.
Falana made the remark during a
presentation at the 2018 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in
Abuja on Wednesday.
The human rights lawyer made
reference to the president’s comment that his administration will not sacrifice
issues of national security for the rule of law.
Buhari had made the remark while
delivering the opening address at the NBA conference on Monday.
“The rule of law must be subject
to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest,” Buhari had
said.
But in his presentation, Falana
said Nigeria’s political history has subjugated the rule of law at the
detriment of protecting the rights of Nigerians.
“Owing to the refusal of the
civilian wing of the political class to demilitarize the polity there has been
unsettled debate over the primacy of national security over the rule of law,”
he said.
“The debate over the clash
between the rule of law and national security has been reopened by President
Mohammadu Buhari at this conference when he enjoined Nigerian lawyers and
judges to realise that national security takes precedence over the rule of law.
“A few days before then, the
President had threatened to jail looters who had sabotaged the security of the
nation by diverting huge funds earmarked for the development of the country.
“It is implied in the
presidential declaration that the alleged looters cannot be jailed without a
trial conducted in criminal courts under the rule of law.
“Majority of political office
holders in the country are not committed to the observance of the rule of law.
In place of the rule of the rule of law the political system has enthroned the
rule of might or rule of rulers.”
Falana said placing security of
the state above the interests of individual citizens “creates a false
dichotomy” that should be avoided.
“It is therefore important for
Nigeria to strive to nurture the synergies between the two, and to incorporate
human rights into national security strategies,” he said.
“I firmly believe that both
security and human rights can fully coexist and are absolutely necessary to
prevent breakdown of law and order.
“I posit that the purpose of
national security should be to protect democracy and enhance democratic
principles.”
Buhari need to leave that office or nigerians are in troble
ReplyDelete