Falana Threatens to Sue Buratai for Ransome-Kuti’s Release

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has threatened to sue the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for the release of a former Commander of the Multi National Joint Task Force, Brig.-Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti, from military custody after completing a six-month prison term.

Ransome-Kuti had been sentenced by a Special Court Martial on October 15, 2015.

In his letter dated February 26, 2016, addressed to Buratai, Falana said Ransome-Kuti was unjustly sentenced to dismissal from the Nigerian Army and six-month imprisonment.

Falana, who was Ransome-Kuti’s defence lawyer at the court martial, said his client had since his “unjust conviction” for “war-related crimes” remained in military detention, even when he ought to spend four calendar months in custody.

He said Ransome-Kuti’s continued detention could not be justified under the Armed Forces Act and the Constitution.

He stated that he might be compelled to approach the court for the enforcement of Ransome-Kuti’s fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed by section 35 of the Constitution and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.