The Chief Trial Counsel to the 38 senior army officers compulsorily retired on June 9, 2016 by the federal government, Abdul Muhammed, has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as unlawful disengagement from service of the officers.
He said for two years the affected officers have repeatedly requested the Nigeria Army leadership to state the offences which gave rise to the punishment, but that the army leadership has not been able to state the specific offence.
In a statement made available to THISDAY Thursday, the lawyer said the only explanation they have been given was that the punishment came ‘from above’, signifying that President Buhari ordered for the punishment and or retirement of the 38 army officers.
He said: “However, none of these officers has ever had any personal interactions with Mr. President to warrant a decision by the Commander-in-Chief to punish them and without recourse to due process at that.