Falana urges Tinubu to reinstate 38 Army officers’ unjustly retired

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate 38 Nigerian Army officers who were prematurely retired eight years ago.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Falana, who represents the affected officers, urged Tinubu to acknowledge that the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari disregarded the National Industrial Court’s ruling and the National Assembly’s resolutions, both of which called for the officers’ reinstatement.

He highlighted the lack of justice and fair hearing in the case, stressing that due process was not followed. Falana maintained that the officers committed no offense and therefore should be reinstated.

He revealed that the officers, including nine major generals, 11 brigadier generals, seven colonels, and 11 lieutenant colonels, were forced into retirement by the Nigerian Army on June 9, 2016, in what he described as an unjust decision.

Falana said, “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I wish to inform President Tinubu that what happened to the 38 Army officers under the previous administration is incredible and unfortunate. I’m also using this medium to inform you that the infamous action on the 38 officers is patently illegal and unjustified.

“The Nigerian Army cannot and should not be allowed to treat the valid and subsisting order of the National Industrial Court and the National Assembly resolution on the 38 officers with levity.”