Activist lawyer Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has written to the Nigerian Army, requesting the release pending appeal of Brig-Gen E.A. Ransome-Kuti, who was recently sentenced to six months imprisonment and dismissed from the Army on two-count allegation of infraction of the provisions of the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20), Laws of the Federation 2004.

In a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General TY Buratai, dated 19th October 2015, Falana wrote about his client: “In its judgment delivered on Thursday, October 15, 2015, the SCM which had earlier held that Brig-Gen Ransome-Kuti took the right decision by withdrawing his troops from Baga in the circumstance in which he found himself turned round to find him guilty on the 2 charges and sentenced him to dismissal from service in respect of the charge of failure to perform military duties and 6 months imprisonment in respect of the charge of miscellaneous offences relating to property.”

Commenting on Mr. Falana’s request this afternoon, frontline rights group the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) described it as a welcome development.

The group, which earlier issued a statement raising questions about the embattled army officer’s ordeal, said in a statement singed by by its Board Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi and Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Programme, Obianuju Igboeli, Esq.: “We join him in demanding for immediate release pending appeal of Brig-Gen E.A. Ransome-Kuti and reversal of the unjust military verdict at the Appellate Court. We are also in total agreement with Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, over his position in the said letter . . .

“We see this as a total judicial miscarriage and incoherent with the principles of the rule of law, which must be reversed by the Appellate and Apex Courts.”

•Photo shows convicted Brig-Gen E.A. Ransome-Kuti.

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