Rights activist Festus Keyamo yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to sack the nation’s Service chiefs – chief of Air Staff, chief of Army Staff and chief of Naval Staff – five months after their appointments were voided by a court.
In a letter yesterday, the lawyer claimed that since no one appealed the judgment delivered on July 1, last year, by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the court’s decision remained valid and subsisting.

He said: “As it is today, all official actions taken by the Service chiefs since the July 1, 2013, judgment was delivered, are null, void and of no effect in law. It only needs someone who is affected by their official actions to challenge their authority in a court.”
Justice Adamu held that the appointments of Service chiefs without the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives is null and void, in line with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The suit was initiated by Keyamo.

The lawyer’s letter, written yesterday and titled: Refusal to obey and comply with judgment in respect of appointments of Service Chiefs, was addressed to President Jonathan; Senate president and the House of Representatives speaker.
“Till now, no appeal has been filed against that judgment. It goes without saying that all the present Service chiefs; Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (chief of Army Staff); Air Vice Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (chief of Air Staff) and Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba (chief of Naval Staff), were appointed without the confirmation of the National Assembly. Their appointments are, therefore, null and void ab initio,” Keyamo said.
He regretted that the National Assembly, whose power to confirm the appointment of Service chiefs was activated by the judgment, refused to demand that President Jonathan obey the judgment.

The lawyer threatened further court actions should the President and others refuse to act within 14 days.
He added: “In fact, that is why the real intent of Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act is to subject the Armed Forces to civil authority.
It is also pertinent to observe that neither the President nor the Service chiefs are constitutionally superior to the National Assembly.
“As a result, the appointment of Service chiefs, which is political, cannot be different from other political appointments that require the confirmation of the National Assembly, e.g. the chief justice of Nigeria, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), ministers and ambassadors.

“Please, do not give Nigerians the impression that the military is still above the law.
“The most embarrassing of this scenario is that the c National Assembly has refused to do anything to comply with the judgment when a court of law has clearly given life to that power. It is sad for our democracy.
“In the circumstance and in the spirit of compliance with court judgments, obedience to and respect for the rule of law, I require that you direct, advise and enforce compliance with the judgment given on July 1, 2013.
“If within 14 days of the receipt of this letter you all fail to act, I will have no option but to head back to the court to compel compliance.”

SOURCE: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/keyamo-faults-jonathan-on-service-chiefs/

The 14days countdown starts now!

Well done Keyamo.

Even if you don't get the government to comply, at least you have done well to expose their incompetence and disregard for the judiciary and laws of the land.

Nonsense attention seeker who couldn't win a simple senate election.

Anyways, what's the relevance of this suit? You haven't sued for the numerous atrocities committed by the government na confirmation of service chiefs you set worry about.

Lawyers and their disconnected worldview.

keyamo; suffering from foot in the mouth desease

Keyamo go and die. Empty vessel makes more ....... U couldnt even win ur first and only election. So stop disturbing our God sent President Jonathan.

The President is playing with fire and flirting with impeachment. He swore to uphold the law and defend the constitution of Nigeria, ( "so help him God" ). Can't this man do a single thing, right?

ndu_chucks: The President is playing with fire and flirting with impeachment. He swore to uphold the law and defend the constitution of Nigeria, ( "so help him God" ). Can't this man do a single thing, right?

the file for his impeachment is adding up.

Bigcake: Keyamo go and die. Empty vessel makes more ....... U couldnt even win ur first and only election. So stop disturbing our God sent President Jonathan.

nin-com-poop

johnmartus: nin-com-poop

Usor ye Uka