Counsel to detained soldier initiates contempt of court proceedings against Buratai
Counsel to Martins Idakpini, an arrested army lance corporal, Tope Akinyode says contempt of court proceedings will be instituted against Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff as well as Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation.
Idakpini Martins was arrested for publishing a video online where-in he criticized the efforts of the chief of army staff and President Muhammadu Buhari in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east.
He said the foot soldiers were not being supplied with adequate weaponry to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.
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Following his arrest, the federal high court, Abuja, ordered the Nigerian Army to allow Corporal Idakpini to see his lawyer, friends, and family.
The army, however, stiffened. Instead of honouring court order, the army has reportedly transferred Martins to Sokoto to face court-martial.
In a statement on Monday, Akinyode said his client has developed ulcer because the Nigerian army have not been feeding him.
“Recall that on 22nd July, 2020, Hon. Justice Chikere of the Abuja Federal High Court ordered the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, and the attorney-general of the federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, to grant Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini, a detained soldier, access to his lawyer and family after I argued an ex parte application,” he said.
“We have served copies of the court order on both the chief of staff and the AGF. Also, I have personally discussed with the AGF over the issue and he assured me that the court order would be complied with. However, the reverse has been the case.
“The detained soldier has also been secretly moved to Sokoto to face a court martial and the military is illegally forcing a lawyer on him.
“We have considered the available legal options and since all the civil overtures to ensure compliance with the court order has broken down, we shall immediately proceed to court tomorrow and commence a committal for contempt proceedings against the chief of army staff and the AGF.”
