A group under the aegies of Yoruba Youth Forum, YYF, has vowed to institute legal action against Nigerian Air Force over continued detention of NAF Personnel, Master Warrant Officer Michael Oyebanji.
Making this disclosure in a press statement by its President General, Comrade Abiodun Bolarinwa said that the continued detention of MWO Oyebanji and the efforts of the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force to frustrate several attempts to secure his release has shown that NAF has skeleton in its cupboard.
“The continued detention of MWO Oyebanji over false allegation of misappropriation of cooperative fund is a clear violation of fundamental human rights and injustice which goes against what Nigeria Army stands for. It has been over a year now that MWO Oyebanji has been detained and several efforts to secure his release have been frustrated by a cabal within the NAF that believes that Oyebanji will expose their dirty deals if released from detention.”
The group wondered why somebody who has not committed any offence under ‘Decree 105’, that includes coup, adultery and robbery could be detained unlawfully in NAF base in Makurdi, Venue state for over a year now.
“We are aware of what is written in the Nigeria Armed Forces Act under ‘Decree 105’. The NAF is making a mockery of itself by embarking on a vicious campaign of calumny against MWO Oyebanji. The statement credited to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola is an indication that some high ranking NAF officers are out destroy MWO Oyebanji who is currently before Special Court Martial. We challenge NAF to make public the evidence that shows that the cooperative society in question was not set up by MWO Oyebanji and one other. We are happy that MWO Oyebanji was able to put a good defense to the 46- count charges placed on him. This is what is giving the NAF high ranking officers a serious headache and have continued to deploy other methods to intimidate, frustrate the family members of MWO Oyebanji, especially his wife who one of these high ranking NAF officers is even seducing.”
Speaking further, YYF said that it would not only institute a legal action against NAF, but also take the case to international human rights groups.
“We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, Minister of Defense, Minister of Justice and all Yoruba leaders to stand up and ensure the prompt release of MWO Oyebanji.