Falana urges Malami to apologise to Sowore, Dasuki - Simply Entertainment Reports and Trending Stories

Breaking

Monday, December 30, 2019

Falana urges Malami to apologise to Sowore, Dasuki

Falana urges Malami to apologise to Sowore, Dasuki
Falana urges Malami to apologise to Sowore, Dasuki - PM News Nigeria

Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami had earlier said Sowore and Dasuki were released out of compassion.

Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has asked the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, to apologise to Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki.

The Human rights lawyer, said this while responding to Malami’s claim that he ordered the release of Sowore and Dasuki on compassionate ground.

Malami had said that the detainees were released not because of international pressure but out of compassion and respect for the rule of law.

The Minister said, “The only reasons for the release of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki revolved around our commitment to the rule of law, obedience to court orders and compassionate grounds.”

Release of Dasuki, Sowore excites lawyers - PM News

Falana, however, in a letter addressed to Malami, said the attorney-general should have apologised to Sowore and Dasuki rather than making such a claim.

He said, “It is trite law that once a trial court has granted bail to any person standing trial for any offence whatsoever and the bail conditions have been met the detaining authority shall release the person from custody without any further ado.

“In other words, the refusal to release a defendant who has been admitted to bail by a trial judge is tantamount to contempt of court. Hence, before Sowore’s release we had filed Forms 48 and 49 for the committal of the Director-General of the State Security Service to prison for contempt of court.”

“The government is not permitted to refuse to comply with the order of bail under the pretext of defending the security of the nation.”

“Even under the defunct military dictatorship, detaining authorities were not authorized to incarcerate any person for “security reasons” in defiance of court orders.

“With respect, the federal government has itself to blame for the needless controversy that has trailed the release of the duo. But having belatedly deemed it fit to review your position and advise the federal government in line with the tenets of the rule of law you ought to have apologised to both Sowore and Dasuki.

“That is what is expected of you in accordance with section 32 (6) of the 1999 Constitution. It is not an occasion for grandstanding or arrogant display of power.”

No comments:

Post a Comment

Post Bottom Ad