By Olugbenga Salami
A proposed law that would align military governance with constitutional principles and democratic accountability, while modernising disciplinary procedures and operational structures, has passed second reading in the Senate.
Titled “A Bill to repeal and re-enact the Armed Forces Act to establish a modern, constitutionally compliant, and operationally responsive legal framework for Nigeria’s military”, the piece of legislation was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC Katsina Central).
While leading the debate on the bill, Senator Yar’adua observed that the current Armed Forces Act, rooted in the 1960s military decrees and last consolidated in 2004, is no longer in tune with the demands of Nigeria’s constitutional and security realities.
He said, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain the cornerstone of the country’s sovereignty and national security, standing gallantly in defence of the nation, from combating insurgency and terrorism to peacekeeping across Africa, adding however, that the military law has not kept pace with the evolving defence environment.
Yar’adua added that outdated fines, such as N200 and N500 penalties, would be replaced with percentage-based sanctions tied to salary levels, while fair hearing provisions and extended rights for non-commissioned officers would be introduced to boost morale.
He noted that the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, have modernised their military laws to ensure justice, accountability, and professionalism”, adding that “Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind”.
In his contribution, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South) supported the bill, saying reforming the military’s legal framework was “long overdue”, while emphasising on the need to align our armed forces with modern laws.
Also, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, (APC Borno North) described the bill as a necessary step towards subjecting military authorities to democratic control, saying it “seeks to bring our military laws in tandem with international best practices and under the authority of democratically elected institutions.”
In his own, Senator Samson Ekong (APC Akwa Ibom South) said the legislation articulates a “profound principle of reform”, adding that the time had come to deepen the nation’s defence policy number
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), who presided over the session, said laws are not static but evolve.
He, thereafter, referred the bill to the Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force and Navy, for further legislative inputs and to report back within four weeks.
