by Damilola Jagun

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has barred the deployment of soldiers for elections in Nigeria.

Justice Ibrahim Buba on Monday, March 23, held that “It is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to deploy military for the supervision of election purposes without the approval of the National Assembly.”

The suit was filed by House of Representatives member and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Gbajabiamila, who had argued that the deployment of military for election as unconstitutional.

Gbajabiamila had challenged the legality of troops’ deployment for election by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Defendants in the suit were President Jonathan, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister.

It however, remains to be seen if the Federal government, will adhere to the ruling of the court.

Kolapo Olapoju