…As FG Reiterates Commitment to tackle Patrons’ Behind Boko Haram existence
Federal government yesterday said it will unravel the root cause of insurgency in the country very soon.
The FG, through the Attorney-General of the federation and minister of justice, while addressing aggrieved lawyers in the country who protested the menace of Boko Haram to his office said a judicial commission of inquiry may soon be put together to investigate how insurgency found its way into the country.
About 100 lawyers under the umbrella body of Lawyers United for Equality and Human Rights Advocacy protested to the office of the AGF to demand the investigation and prosecution of person found to have been sponsoring insurgency in the country.
The director in charge of general services in the Ministry, Mrs. Lola Uket, who represented the minister to receive the protesters assured them that the minister will act and act very fast on their demands.
“You have made your demands and I am sure the minister will act and act very fast to meet your demands. None of them will not be addressed. I believe you gave a time frame in your demand and I am sure they will all be met. Your demands have not been met before now not because of negligence on the part of the minister but because of certain circumstances. Let us be patient with them because they are also learned men like you. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt that something will be done”, she said.
The lawyers in their position paper asked the minister to ensure the investigation and prosecution of sponsors of the Islamic Terrorist group, Boko Haram and ensure their prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In the paper, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, a senior advocate, the lawyers asked the FG to
avoid the grave mistake of government in the past that led to the intermittent resurrection of Niger Delta militancy.
The Convener of the group, Samson Esekhaigbe Esq. and Nnena Okereke, the Publicity secretary said the recent development in the country is capable of causing serious political upheavals.
He also said they are pointers to the fact that the top politicians in Borno State who created Boko Haram are still in touch with their “foot soldiers”.
“We are afraid that the senseless killings by this animalistic bunch will not stop unless their sponsors are identified, tried in our local courts or dragged to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and accordingly imprisoned for facilitating heinous crimes against humanity. This is the only way that enduring peace would return to the North and Nigeria in general.
“A situation whereby no less than 10,000 persons have been killed in various brutal activities spearheaded by the group is alarming”.
The lawyers said it is their duty as a group of refined legal minds to fight and preserve Nigeria- the country that gave every Nigerian a home and heritage.
The group condoled with those who lost their loved ones to insurgencies and insisted that the time to end Boko Haram is now otherwise the innocent blood spilt over the years will haunt us.
The group is an umbrella body of pro-democracy, concerned and patriotic Nigerian lawyers committed to true democratic principles bringing to cognizance equity, fairness and respect for human rights and the rule of law in line with the change mantra of the present administration.