A civil society organisation, the Women Empowerment & Legal
Aid, on Monday, asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, to
respect the decision of a female soldier, Private Sofiyat Akinlabi, to marry a
male corps member.
The Chairperson of the group, Funmi Falana, in a letter to
the COAS, demanded the immediate release of the soldier who had since been
detained by the military authorities after accepting the marriage proposal of
an unnamed corper at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in
Yikpata, Kwara State.
The Director of Army Public
Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said Akinlabi violated military
laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a
paramilitary trainee – a corps member, vowing that she will be punished.
However, in the letter titled, ‘Request for the Release of
Private Sofiyat Akinlabi’, the wife of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi
Falana, said the female soldier “has not contravened the regulation on
restriction of marriage for three years”.
“The restriction of a female military personnel from
contracting any marriage for three years upon enlistment which is not
applicable to male military personnel is illegal and unconstitutional,” the
letter added.
The female Falana also argued that no male soldier has been
punished for proposing to a love interest in public has seen on social media.
She, therefore, declared as illegal, the detention of Akinlabi.
The letter partly read, “In view of the fact that male
soldiers have not been penalized for involving themselves in a public display
of amorous relationship in full military uniform the threat to sanction Private
Sofiyat Akinlabi is discriminatory. Some of the photographs of male soldiers
involved in a public display of amorous relationship are attached.
“In view of the foregoing, we urge you to use your good
offices to order the release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabie from further custody.
Furthermore, her decision to marry the male youth corps member should be
respected as both of them are entitled to freedom of association guaranteed by
Section 40 of the Constitution.
“While wishing you compliments of the season, please accept
the assurances of our professional regards and esteem.”
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