The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) may face international scrutiny as an air force officer, MWO Michael Oyebanji has been invited by four international human rights organizations over what they perceived as injustice and violations of his fundamental human rights.
These organizations, Sharpedgenews.com gathered are prepared to seek justice on his behalf, citing perceived injustices and violations of his fundamental human rights by the Nigeria Airforce.
This follows a general court martial at the NAF base in Makurdi, Benue State, where he was sentenced to 21 years for allegedly misappropriating N41 million.
Despite the officer’s departure from Nigeria and a civil court overturning the court martial’s verdict, he is receiving support from four international organizations, which are concerned about his unlawful incarceration and sentencing.
The officer, we equally gathered has equally granted interviews to some international media outlets regarding the injustice met out to him by the Nigeria Airforce.
The source added that despite the civil court’s ruling, the Airman has not been reinstated by the NAF, allegedly due to the refusal of Chief of Air Staff, H.B Abubakar and Air Vice Marshal A.H. Bakari, the Air Secretary of the Force, to acknowledge the court’s judgment.
The duo we gathered have been running the NAF as their personal fiefdom.
A source familiar with the case stated that even the Makurdi Correctional Service which initially refused to release the Airman, even after a court order, later had to do so after a contempt charge was initiated.
‘The Correctional Service has since been mandated by the court to pay damages to the Airman.’
The source added that the Chief of Air Staff and Air Secretary’s actions may lead to further legal challenges for the NAF in the Industrial Court, potentially raising serious questions about the NAF’s adherence to the rule of law and the Nigerian constitution.
This situation according to sources highlight concerns about military justice and human rights in Nigeria, as advocates push for accountability and transparency.