Two Al-Jazeera TV journalists who were recently ‘restrained’ by the Nigerian military for loitering in unsafe areas of operation have sued the Nigerian Army and its Chief Kenneth Minimah for allegedly abusing their fundamental rights.
The journalists Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha – a reporter and cameraman respectively – who are being represented by renowned lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana are seeking a ruling declaring their detention by the military illegal and a violation of Section 34, 35 and 41 of the constitution and Article 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Right Act.
They are also seeking their immediate release from military custody on grounds that “loitering and wandering” were no recognised offences in the Nigerian constitution.
When contacted to speak on the matter, Army spokesperson, Sani Usman said the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade would be in a better position to speak on the issue.
Olukolade could not be reached for comments as at press time.
