Falana Faults Army Chief’s Statement On Arms Bearing

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s statement where he sounded his disapproval for citizens to bear arms following coordinated attacks on Plateau State during the Yuletide by assailants.

“I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy,” the Army chief said on Sunday on Channels Television’s end-of-year programme “2023: Year Of Transition”

In his reply to this, Falana on Wednesday during the Sunrise Breakfast show said “In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms, Apart from  the fact that the penal code applicable in the North and the criminal code applicable in the South recognises the right to self-defence,”

“In the first place, we have to discuss the rights and proceed to examine the propriety.”

“In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot.”

Asked to clarify if the law allows for one to bear guns, the Senior Advocate replied in the affirmative however noting that one needs a gun licence.

“But you are required to apply for the licence first, “ he said

However, Falana sounded a note of caution as regards what the constitution mandates when it comes to self-defence

“I am just saying the right to self -defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution.

“All I am not allowed to do is not use a force that is not proportional to the threat.“

“In other words, If you are going to hit me with a cane I must not go for a gun which is not proportional,“ he said.