Two Al Jazeera journalists who were on Sunday released by the Nigerian military after 12 days in detention have vowed to maintain their suits they initially filed while they were in custody.
Messrs Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha had through their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit demanding their release from unlawful detention where they h held been held since March 24 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Falana, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, said in view of the release of his clients, he might have to amend the suit already filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, to seek for damages.
“I am in touch with my clients – the journalists and the management of Al Jazeera – they thanked Nigerians for their support and they have instructed me to go to court to ask for damages,” the lawyer said.
In a separate statement which he sent to our correspondent on Monday, Falana maintained that by virtue of section 35(6) of the Constitution, the two journalists, as Nigerians, were entitled to public apology for their unlawful detention.
He said, “On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, armed soldiers arrested Messrs Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha, two Al Jazeera journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State. The Army authorities justified the arrest by claiming that they were “loitering” in an unauthorised place. They were restricted to a hotel room in Maiduguri surrounded by armed gendarmes. Our demand for the immediate release of the journalists from military custody fell on deaf ears.
“However, following the institution of a fundamental rights application at the Federal High Court at Abuja to secure the immediate release of the journalists last week the Army authorities hurriedly transferred them to the State Security Service. Yesterday, the SSS set them at liberty without any conditions. They have since regained their freedom.
“As neither the Armed Forces Act nor the Constitution permits the Nigerian Army to arrest and detain journalists or non military persons for that matter, the violations of the fundamental rights of Messrs Idris and Mustapha to liberty and dignity and freedom of movement for over a week cannot be justified under the law. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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