Boko Haram: Islamic group reacts as Falana begs Buhari to forgive 54 soldiers

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has added its voice to the call for pardon for the 54 soldiers who allegedly refused to fight Boko Haram terrorists over poor weapons.

 

The group backed a letter written by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking presidential pardon for soldiers jailed for refusing to fight Boko Haram

 

MURIC’s call was made on Thursday through a statement by its director and founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

MURIC said it was in total support of the call by Falana asking Buhari to pardon the soldiers jailed for refusing to fight Boko Haram with poor weapons, adding that the case has unassailable merit.

 

It said the punishment meted out to the soldiers was a miscarriage of justice.

 

The rights group also frowned at the way the soldiers were discharged from prison after serving their term without any concern for their welfare.

 

MURIC pleaded with the soldiers not to seek vengeance from society by hurting innocent people nor use their special training negatively.

 

Speaking further, the Muslim rights organization, commended Falana “for his role in the struggle to get justice for the jailed soldiers.

 

“He has consistently defended the oppressed, sometimes pro bono. Once again, Falana has put humanity on the driving seat in the practice of his profession.”

 

“We have no scintilla of doubt that posterity will write his name in letters of gold,” the group said.

 

Various parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have suffered series of attacks since 2011 when Boko Haram gained stronghold in the country.

 

Religious centres, security operatives, including the police and military formations, as well as civilians in villages mostly in the North East and public spaces, have suffered grievous attacks.

 

And in 2014, during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, some of the soldiers in battle front protested the lack of adequate supply of armoury to combat the insurgents.

 

About 54 of them, who refused to go into battle with poor weapons, were charged with mutiny and sentenced to death.

 

However, their death sentences were commuted to 10 years jail term after the case was reviewed.

 

The soldiers were on Tuesday released from the medium-security custodian centre, Kirikiri, Apapa maximum prison, and Ikoyi correctional centre after which they were taken to Falana’s chambers in Ikeja, Lagos State.