Elections: Court stops Jonathan from deploying soldiers

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, restrained the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government from deploying the military to supervise the March 28 and April 11 general elections.
The presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, declared that it is unconstitutional to deploy military for the supervision of election without the approval of the National Assembly.
A member of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had sued Jonathan, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and Justice Minister, urging the court to stop them from deploying troops during the elections.
Plaintiff’s lawyer, Seni Adio, argued that there was an allegation and evidence that the military inhibited free movement, free access and intimidation of voters in Osun, Ekiti and Anambra where troops were deployed during the governorship elections in those states.
He argued that it is not ideal to deploy the military to supervise election in a democratic setting, urging the court to restrain the defendants from using the military in the coming elections.
However, counsel to defendants, Mr. Dele Adeshina (SAN), opposed the application on the ground that the President, being the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, is empowered under Armed Forces Act to deploy the military to maintain law and order but Adio said the Armed Forces Act is subordinate to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Buba ruled that Jonathan could not deploy troops without the approval of the National Assembly.