*Calls For Police To Identify And Arraign Suspects
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The Nigerian Army has come under fire for its decision to shut down the Banex Plaza in Abuja following a clash between traders and soldiers last Saturday.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has demanded the immediate reopening of the plaza, asserting that the rule of law prohibits institutions and individuals from taking the law into their hands.
In a statement released today, Falana urged the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja, to ensure that the Banex Plaza is reopened without any further delay. He also advised the soldiers who were beaten up in the market to press charges against their assailants, noting that the scuffle was video recorded, making it possible for the police to identify and arraign the suspects.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved a confrontation between some traders and three soldiers over a phone sale dispute. The police promptly arrested the suspects and took them to the FCT police headquarters for questioning. The military personnel involved were handed over to their organisation for necessary action.
However, shortly after the incident, about 50 armed soldiers invaded the Banex Plaza and shut it down. The military authorities have justified the resort to self-help, with Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Army spokesman, stating that the plaza was temporarily shut to fish out the hoodlums behind the incident.
Falana, however, has pointed out that 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 emphasized that in a country where the rule of law operates, institutions and individuals are not permitted to take the law into their hands.
The senior advocate’s call for the immediate reopening of the Banex Plaza has garnered support from various quarters, with many expressing concern over the military’s actions and the potential impact on businesses operating within the plaza.
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