Politicising appointment of Service Chiefs won’t work - Gen. Ikponmwen
By SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY Brig. General Don Idada Ikponmwen is the ex-Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army and also its former Director, Legal Services. Idada, who has been involved in several legal battles in the Army, including the prosecution of three Admirals over the missing MP Africa ship in 2003, expressed shock over the Federal High Court’s recent declaration which stripped the President of the sole power to appoint Service Chiefs in the Armed Forces. As an expert on the nation’s constitution and military laws, Idada noted that the declaration would not stand the test of time, just as he projected that if applied, it would politicise the Armed Forces and threaten the security of the nation. Excerpts: What is your take on the recent judgment by the Federal High Court that stripped the President of the power to appoint Service Chiefs? I was completely dismayed with such a declaration because it tends to turn the constitution upside down. [caption id="attachment_20634...