Group Alleges Discrimination in Federal Appointments, Drags Buhari, Others to Court

A human rights group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation (KHRF) has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to a Federal High Court in Abuja alleging  lopsidedness in the appointments of service chiefs and composition of the government of the federation.

 In the suit with No, FCH/ABJ/CS/737/2015, the group is claiming that the present composition and appointment of the service chiefs mainly from the North-east, of North-west, North-central and South-west intentionally excluded the Igbos of the South-east and therefore did not comply with the federal character principle of Nigeria.

The body also alleged that the composition of the executive arm of the government with Buhari from North as President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo from South-west as Vice President, Justice Mahmood Mohammed from North as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) President of Court of Appeal from North Speaker House of Representatives from North also did not comply with the federal character of Nigeria.

 In the suit instituted by Mr. Okere Nnamdi on behalf of the group, it was claimed that Buhari breached section 5 of the 1999 Constitution and the oath of office he took to preserve, protect, defend and uphold the constitution of the country.

Jointly instituted with Igbo Youth Democrats as  plaintiffs, they claimed that the Igbos of the South-east had been subjected to discrimination, marginalisation, humiliation, domination, suppression and inequality in the appointments of service chiefs and heads of security agencies in the country contrary to sections 13, 14, 42, 217 and 218 of the 1999 Constitution.

Defendants in the suit are President Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Character Commission of Nigeria.

The plaintiffs prayed the court to compel the president to review or reverse the composition of service chiefs, Heads of security agencies and other appointments in the executive arm and governments to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria in line with provision of the constitution.

They also sought orders of mandamus compelling the Federal Character Commission to carry out its constitutional duties of working out equitable formula for the distribution of all cadres of posts in the public service of the federation.

Besides, plaintiffs also prayed for an order mandating the National Assembly to carry out its constitutional duties of giving effects to sections 217 and 218 of the 1999 constitution by ensuring that the composition of the armed forces reflects the Federal Character of Nigeria.

Among others, the plaintiffs also sought declaration that  Buhari has breached section 5 (1) (b) of the Constitution and the Oath of Office/Oath of Allegiance he took to preserve, protect, defend and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

A declaration that the Igbos of South-east Nigeria have been subjected to discrimination, marginalisation, humiliation, domination, suppression and inequality in view of the present composition of the government of the federation and particularly in the appointment of service chiefs and Heads of security agencies.
A declaration that  Buhari was not elected to govern, serve and favour only the geo-political zones and states that gave him and his political party, majority votes during the 2015 Presidential election to the detriment of other Nigerians; and further declaration that the constitution of a political party and decisions of the leaders of a political party is not superior to the constitution.
Hearing in the case has been fixed for April 26 by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.