Constitution Review: Falana Makes Case For Secessionists, Change Of Name For Police

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*Says country on the verge of collapse
*2023 polls threatened
*Gives panacea for stopping secession agitations
*As Olanipekun advocates true federalism, judicial reform

The human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has expressed fear
and worry over the level of impunity in Nigeria, saying peace will
continue to elude the country without a proper people’s oriented
constitution.

Also, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Wole
Olanipekun, SAN, has advocated true federalism, immediate reform in
judicial system, among others.

The duo made the remarks on Thursday, at the final sitting of
the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, South
West, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Zonal Public Hearing, Lagos Center, held in
Ikeja, under the chairmanship of Senator Oluremi Tinubu,
representing Lagos Central.

However, participants at the hearing reiterated calls for a
total review of the constitution to reflect fiscal federalism;
implementation of the Child Rights Act and Disability Act in
states, local government autonomy, judicial autonomy, and police
reform.

While making a presentation, Falana made a large case for the
poor and vulnerable, insisting that it was important to give
secession agitators in the country the confidence of peace and
sense of inclusion if they must remain as indivisible entity.

Condemning the rate of impunity in the country, Falana stressed,
“Our country is ruled by rule of the rulers and not rule of law.
People commit all manner of crime and get away with it because
there are no sanctions. This must change. The Social Security Bill
must also work so that jobless people can get stipends pending when
they will get full employment.”

He added: “What can we do very quickly to save this country
which is on the verge of collapse.? If you don’t want people to
break away from Nigeria, we must give them confidence and sense of
belonging, don’t declare a war.

“Therefore, for the constitutional amendment to be fruitful, for
us to have genuine outputs from this meeting, peace must reign. We
must address Nigeria’s problem frontally. We must also give people
the confidence of peace and inclusion if we must kill the cries for
secession. Don’t declare a war.

“In fact, in some parts of the country, the 2023 elections are
already in jeopardy.

“INEC offices are being burnt, police stations are being burnt.
In that kind of atmosphere, we cannot pretend that there is
political stability in our country.

“Essentially, I am making a case for the poor, the masses of our
people who are generally not represented in fora of this nature
which are most times for the elites and privileged among our
people.

“Chapter two of the constitution guarantees the right to
education, health, living minimum wage, good adequate housing,
unemployment benefits, among others, but members of the ruling
class conspired and agreed, regardless of political affiliation,
that these provisions shall not be enforceable or made justiciable.
But unless we are prepared to make these provisions justiciable and
enforceable, this country will know no peace.

“Whatever constitution will come forth after now must make
justiciable the fundamental objectives and directive principles of
state without which there will be no political stability in
Nigeria.”

The lawyer also advocated that the Child Rights Act enacted in
2003, and the Disability Act, be domesticated and implemented in
states if the constitution review must make meaning to the common
man.

“We are submitting that the Child Rights Act enacted in 2003 be
made applicable throughout Nigeria, we have to work it out.

“As of today, only 25 states have adopted the law, but even
then, not fully implemented. Unfortunately, it is states where
banditry, kidnapping and terrorism thrive that have refused to
adopt or domesticate the law, and that is where banditry,
terrorism, and kidnappers recruit daily.

“We also advocate a 50/50 representation for men and women in
government. We should emulate other African countries where women
even take a larger percentage in government affairs.

“Right to employment: all citizens, without discrimination on
any group whatsoever, [shall] have the opportunity for securing
adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to
secure suitable employment (s.17(3)(a); Conditions of work:
“Gender-sensitive rights – Right to equal pay: for equal work
without discrimination on account of sex, or on any other ground
whatsoever (S.17(3) (e); Right of the child: children, young
persons and the aged are [entitled to be]protected against any
exploitation whatsoever, and against moral and material neglect (S.
17(3)f); Right to public assistance in conditions of need (S.
17(3)(g),” he stated.

Falana also advocated police reform, proposing a change of name
from the Nigeria Police Force, NPF to the Nigerian Police Service,
NPS to reflect reality of modern-day policing. He also advocated
for the upward review of police salary.

Olanipekun, represented by his son, Oladapo, advocated that
judicial outcomes be respected and adhered to so that the common
man can feel protected and their rights protected.

According to him, the Electoral Act should be amended to allow
governorship election cases to terminate at the Supreme Court.
This, he said, is important to stem the tide of conflicting
judgments arising from Appeal Courts.

Olanipekun also advocated that more judges be appointed into the
Supreme Court to reduce the workload of judges.