The warning came amid heightened attention surrounding the trial of the 36 military personnel accused of being involved in an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
The President of the General Court-Martial trying 36 Nigerian military personnel over an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu has cautioned lawyers representing the accused officers against what he described as “weaponising” the right to protest.
The Court-Martial President, Air Vice Marshal H. I. Alhaji, reportedly made the remarks during proceedings in the ongoing trial, while addressing the conduct and manner of interaction between members of the defence team and the court, SaharaReporters has learnt.
According to sources present during the proceedings, Alhaji said he could not imagine a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) or a senior military officer taking part in a protest, urging lawyers and other parties involved in the proceedings to exercise restraint and diplomacy in their dealings with the court.
“And I urge you not to weaponize the right to protest. Please. I cannot imagine seeing a senior advocate of Nigeria protesting,” Air Vice Marshal Alhaji was quoted as saying.
