The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian Army firmly believes in the rule of law and will continue to uphold human rights at all times.
While inaugurating the new Headquarters complex of the Directorate of Legal Services (Army) on Tuesday in Abuja also performed ground breaking for the construction of 700 houses of different types at Army Command Estate Asokoro Phase2, he noted the commitment of the army to work with the other services, agencies and stakeholders to provide safe and secure environment for free, fair and credible election.
He also warned mischief makers to abide by the law of the land and not interfere with the process to allow citizens to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He said the new complex could be best described as a dream come true for thr directorate and indeed the Nigerian army,adding that the army under his watch had continued to improve on its infrastructure to provide conducive working environment at its establishments, formations and units across the country.
“The effort of directorate in providing timely and balanced legal advice and services, contributing to the overall drive of the Nigerian army in carrying out its constitutional roles within the ambit of the law.
“Recall section 149 subsection 3 of the armed forces act provides that and I quote, “before the confirming authority take action under section 150 of the act on a record of trial by court martial, the confirming authority shall obtain from the directorate of legal service of the armed forces legal review of the case.
“This has always been the case in practice.
“For the directorate to effectively deliver its invaluable services and responsibilities, it requires a conducive working eenvironmen.
“It is on that premise that this project was conceived.
This structure was initiated based on the necessity to oil the wheels of justice to better serve Nigerian army and by extension, the country.
This is because the Nigerian army firmly believes in the rule of law and the vital legal services rendered by our professional military lawyers.
“The officers of this directorate have continued to steer the legal affairs of the Nigerian army in accordance with the rule of law as expected from barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” he said.