Senate has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact Armed Forces Act to establish modern, constitutionally compliant, operationally responsive legal framework for Nigeria’s military.
The bill, was sponsored by Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, (APC-Katsina).
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill at plenary on Thursday, Yar’adua said that the current Armed Forces Act was rooted in the 1960s military decrees and was last consolidated in 2004.
He said that the act no longer meets the demands of Nigeria’s constitutional and security realities.
“The armed forces of Nigeria remain the cornerstone of our sovereignty and national security.
“They have stood gallantly in defence of our nation, from combating insurgency and terrorism to peacekeeping across Africa.
“However, our military law has not kept pace with the evolving defence environment. ”
Yar’adua said that the proposed legislation would align military governance with constitutional principles and democratic accountability, while modernising disciplinary procedures and operational structures.
According to him,outdated fines, such as N200 and N500 penalties, will be replaced with percentage based sanctions tied to salary levels, while fair hearing provisions and extended rights for non-commissioned officers would be introduced to boost morale.
“Many democracies, including the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa, have modernised their military laws to ensure justice, accountability and professionalism, Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind.”
Sen.Ali Ndume, (APC-Borno,) said reforming the military’s legal framework was long overdue.
“As we evolve in our democracy, there is a need to align our armed forces with modern laws,” Ndume said.
Sen.Tahir Monguno, (APC- Borno ), described the bill as a necessary step towards subjecting military authorities to democratic control.
“This bill seeks to bring our military laws in tandem with international best practices and under the authority of democratically elected institutions,” Monguno said.
Sen.Samson Ekong,(APC- Akwa Ibom South), said the legislation articulated a profound principle of reform, adding that the time had come to deepen the nation’s defence policy framework.
Deputy President of Senate Sen. Barau Jibrin, (APC-Kano),who presided over the plenary referred the bill to the committees on Defence, Army, Air Force and Navy for further legislative input and to return back in four weeks.
“Our laws should change; our regulations should be modernised,” he said.
“This should be not only in the military, but all spheres of our national life.”Barau said
