Nigerian Army And The N.6Billion Question On Detainees

Nigerian Army And The N.6Billion Question On Detainees

OpenLife Nigeria reports that at the moment, questions are being raised over the accountability of an alleged money meant for detainees in a Sokoto military barracks.

Information says the detained soldiers are 87 in number.
The money, estimated at about N626,400,000, is a cumulation of N10,000 daily pay per soldier detained in the Sokoto military barracks for infractions against regulations in over two years.
However, the money, which ought to have been counting in the past two years, is said not to have gotten to the detainees.
This development, has prompted a group of lawyers to petition United Nations Human Rights Commission.
The petition, signed by Austin Okeke, Esq, reproduced below, exposes the details:

PETITION FILED WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AGAINST BUHARI, FOR ILLEGAL DETENTION OF LANCE CORPORAL IDAKPINI MARTINS AND 86 OTHER NIGERIAN SOLDIERS AT 8 DIVISION NIGERIA ARMY, SOKOTO, NIGERIA

By Austin Okeke Esq

We the National Lawyers Coalition For Peter Obi have submitted a petition with the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva Switzerland.

This is in respect of the illegal detention of Lance Corporal Idakpini Martins and 86 other soldiers at a military barrack in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

These soldiers have been held for over two years in unimaginable deplorable conditions at a place not fit for human habitation. Some of them have lost the use of one or both of their eyes as a result, some have developed pile, while some are coughing non-stop.

There is a huge profit attached to the number of detainees, therefore inmates have become commercial commodities for the senior military officers.

For instance, there are currently 87 detainees in Sokoto. Each is entitled to N10,000 Nigerian currency per day, this amounts to N300,000 per month, and N3,6 million per year. When you multiply the amount by 87 detainees, you will appreciate that the longer they are detained, the more money it is for the top military officers.

We have brought to the attention of the international community this unspeakable inhumane treatment by one man to another for urgent interventions.

I thank you

23 April, 2023
Austin Okeke Esq
National Lawyers Coalition For Peter Obi.

However, a clarification message sent to the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, did not receive any response as of the time of filling this report