CALL: News Flash Back 20th August, 2016
Governor
Kashim Shettima has called on the Joint Investigation Team of the defence
headquarters to free suspected insurgents in custody that are found to be
innocent.
The
Governor made the appeal today while receiving the team led by Brigadier
General Abdulkadir Abubakar at the Government House.
Governor
Kashim commended the defence headquarters for its bold steps in setting the
team comprising lawyers and security experts for the sole purpose of protecting
the rights of citizens detained as a result of the insurgency and ensure that
innocent persons are not wrongly detained.
He
said this is the first time the Military Authorities are coming up with such
initiative towards guaranteeing of citizens rights,
Governor
Kashim said Borno State has the highest number of arrested persons hence the
need for those found innocent to be freed.
In
his words “selective justice is the worst form of injustice”
Governor
Kashim Shettima therefore directed the State Attorney General to immediately
deploy some lawyers to enhance the manpower to speed up their work.
Earlier
the leader of the team Brigadier General Abdulkadir Abubakar said the committee
was setup by the chief of defence staff to find ways of handling those arrested
during the insurgency period.
He
said this is to ensure that their cases are handled through the best laws
enshrined in the constitution.
The
leader of the investigation than said the detainees are categorized as those
for prosecution, witnesses or further investigation as well as deportation.
Some
of them according to Brigadier Abdulkadir Abubakar will be tried at the Federal
Court while others will be tried at the State Courts depending on the gravity
of their offence and involvement.
He
however said there is likelihood that the committee will recommend for trial of
most suspects in the state based on their findings so far.
Brigadier
Abdulkadir who promised to ensure justice in carrying out the assignment also
commiserated with government and people of the state over the colossal loss of
lives and properties as a result of the insurgency.
The
team comprised representatives of all the security agencies and lawyers from
Ministries of Justice from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
