Lawyer sues Buhari for alleged nepotism

A lawyer, Mr. Francis Moneke, has filed a lawsuit against
President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly ignoring the principle of
federal character in the appointment of security chiefs.

The lawyer, in his suit, accused the President of being
nepotistic in his key appointments by allegedly favouring
northerners.

Moneke claimed that “the pattern of appointments of key and
strategic security, intelligence and law enforcement
office-holders, clearly shows favouritism and nepotism on the part
of the 1st respondent (Buhari) in favour of the people from the
northern part of the country where he comes from, against me and
people from the southern part of the country, especially the
South-East, where I come from.”

He claimed to have been put at a disadvantage on account of the
alleged nepotism on the part of the President.

He argued that with the alleged nepotism, the President had
violated his (Moneke’s) fundamental right to freedom from
discrimination guaranteed under Section 42 (1) & (2) of the
Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human &
Peoples’ Rights (Ratification & Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Joined as second respondent in the suit is the Attorney of the
Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

In his supporting affidavit, Moneke said, “I am aware that
nepotism and tribalism are species of corruption, which jeopardise
fairness, objectivity and equity and that when employed as an
official strategy in government it compromises inclusivity,
effectiveness, efficiency, professionalism, competence, the spirit
of national unity and sense of belonging.”

The lawyer is praying the court to compel the President to
“change the current skewed structure of top federal security and
law enforcement appointees by appointing some candidates from the
South-East into such positions.”

He wants to court to perpetually restrain the President from
further shunning the principle of federal character in his
appointments.

A lawyer, Mr. Francis Moneke, has filed a lawsuit against
President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly ignoring the principle of
federal character in the appointment of security chiefs.

The lawyer, in his suit, accused the President of being
nepotistic in his key appointments by allegedly favouring
northerners.

Moneke claimed that “the pattern of appointments of key and
strategic security, intelligence and law enforcement
office-holders, clearly shows favouritism and nepotism on the part
of the 1st respondent (Buhari) in favour of the people from the
northern part of the country where he comes from, against me and
people from the southern part of the country, especially the
South-East, where I come from.”

He claimed to have been put at a disadvantage on account of the
alleged nepotism on the part of the President.

He argued that with the alleged nepotism, the President had
violated his (Moneke’s) fundamental right to freedom from
discrimination guaranteed under Section 42 (1) & (2) of the
Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human &
Peoples’ Rights (Ratification & Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Joined as second respondent in the suit is the Attorney of the
Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

In his supporting affidavit, Moneke said, “I am aware that
nepotism and tribalism are species of corruption, which jeopardise
fairness, objectivity and equity and that when employed as an
official strategy in government it compromises inclusivity,
effectiveness, efficiency, professionalism, competence, the spirit
of national unity and sense of belonging.”

The lawyer is praying the court to compel the President to
“change the current skewed structure of top federal security and
law enforcement appointees by appointing some candidates from the
South-East into such positions.”

He wants to court to perpetually restrain the President from
further shunning the principle of federal character in his
appointments.