Human Rights Lawyer Professor Chidi Odinkalu has clarified the legal basis for military personnel protecting private properties in Abuja, explaining that the Federal Capital Territory operates as a military zone designed to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.
Speaking during an interview with Signature TV from 10:14, Professor Odinkalu addressed public confusion about the role of Lieutenant A.M. Yerima in protecting private property. “Abuja is a military territory, the FCT is protected by the brigade of guards. That’s those are the people who guarantee the safety of Abuja because that’s where the commander in chief is,” he stated.
The lawyer emphasized that the president’s presence in Abuja justifies significant military deployment in the capital. “And there are different parts of the job of the president. The president is head of government. He’s a diplomat in chief. He’s a sovereign and all but he’s also commander. And so he’s called president and commander-in-chief. Those are two different jobs in one person. The job of the commander-in-chief cannot be delegated. There can only ever be one commander in chief at one time,” he explained.
He also explained the circumstances under which military personnel may be found on private property while performing official duties. He noted that soldiers in Abuja can legitimately be stationed at private residences for official purposes, either due to ongoing operations or the presence of state assets at any location. View, More,
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