Leading civil rights lawyer, Femi Falana has said President Muhammed Buhari is out of bounds concerning the military siege on the hometown of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria in a statement released to the media on Wednesday said the deployment of troops to the home of Nnamdi Kanu was unconstitutional and illegal.
“I wish to submit, without any fear of contradiction, that the deployment of armed troops in Abia state and the house arrest of Mr. Kanu are illegal and unconstitutional,” Falana said in a statement.
Falana said although the President was empowered by Section 217(2) of the Constitution to deploy the armed forces for the “suppression of insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore law order” he cannot exercise the power until there is an insurrection or civil disturbance that cannot be contained by the police.
To him, there was no insurrection in Abia State which the police could not contain.
“The deployment of armed troops by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces cannot be justified in law,” he said.
“In view of the foregoing, the President should direct the armed troops who have invaded Aba in Abia State to withdraw and return to their barracks forthwith.
“At the same time, the Commissioner of Police in Abia state should be allowed to take over the case of Mr. Kanu in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Police Act.
“If he is indicted in the investigation that is expected to be conducted by the Police he should be charged to court as he is not above the law.
