Letter To The Chief of Army Staff

PowER
AMEN
AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT& LEGAL AID (WELA)
LAGOS: ABUJA: 22, Mediterranean Street,
25, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Imani Estate, Off Shehu Shagari Way,
GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Maitama District, Abujo, Nigeria.
wOM A O
Tel: +234-802-106-3232,
+234-705-580-2420.
www.welaonline.org
December 20, 2021
The Chief of Army Staff,

Ministry of Defence,
Defence Headquarters,
Plot 1092
Muhammadu Buhari Way,
Area 7, Garki,
Abuja, FCT.
Request for the Release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabi

In justifying the detention of Private Sofiyat Akinlabi who was arrested at
the National Youth Service Corps Camp at Ilorin, Kwara State last week, the
Director of Army, Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu
accused her of getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship
with a male youth corps member and that she failed to serve for three
years before getting married.
Since Private Sofiyat Akinlabi was reported to have accepted the marriage
proposal from a male youth corps member she has not contravened the
regulation on restriction of marriage for three years.
The restriction of a female military personnel from contracting any marriage

for three years upon enlistment which is not applicable to male military
personnel is illegal and unconstitutional. In the case of Women
Empowerment and Legal Aid v. Attorney-General of the Federation
(2015) 1 NHRLR (PT 1) 57 the Federal High Court held inter alia:
"In the instant case, the discrimination is not as to the fact

that women were not recruited into the Police Force but that
they were recruited and subjected to some restrictions and
disabilities as in Regulation 124 which their male
counterparts are not subject to. The one under focus in the
Funmi Falana B.Sc, B.Th. LLB, LLM, B., FCIArb., Notary Pub. Modupe Omo-Ekpadi LL.B, B.L
Amara Nwosu LL.B, B.L, ACIArb., ANIM.
Chairperson
Regulation 124 is the requirement that a woman police
officer cannot marry until a written application is made to the
Commission of Police, and the Commissioner not only
approves request to marry but must approve the choice of the
man to be married. This with all respect is bizarre
Any Law or Regulation that makes or attempts to make the

Commissioner for Police a plenary Guardian or a Guardian
Angel to make or approve suitors for women police officer is
not only unlawful, it is repulsive to the right of the woman
police officer as a human being to make her own self choice
of suitors without the intervention of the State machineries.
The most fundamental issue is if this is the police laid dowvn
for the police, does it apply to the men folk. It is not. So it is
only issued to women police officers because of their gender
as women and it is very much unconstitutional."
In view of the fact that male soldiers have not been penalized for involving
themselves in a public display of amorous relationship in full military
uniform the threat to sanction Private Sofiyat Akinlabi is discriminatory.
Some of the photographs of male soldiers involved in a public display of
amorous relationship are attached.
In view of the foregoing, we urge you to use your good offices to order the
release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabie from further custody. Furthermore, her
decision to marry the male youth corps member should be respected as
both of them are entitled to freedom of association guaranteed by Sect
40 of the Constitution.
While wishing you compliments of the season, please accept the assurances
of our professional regards and esteem.
Yours sincerely,
FUNMI FALANA, FCI Arb.

(Chairperson)
Naijaloaded
Visit
THIS IS LOVELY!! Nigerian Soldier
Proposes To His Girlfriend, Her ..
****
Gtarc
NTGERIAN ARMY
tarco
Nigerians have taken to social media to drag the
Nigerian Army over the alleged arrest of a female
soldier whowas captured in a viral video acceptinga

marriage proposal from a Male Youth Corper
They opined that the arrest was discriminatory since
so many Male soldiers have been captured making

similar gestures without any repercussions

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PowER

December 20, 2021

The Chief of Army Staff,

Request for the Release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabi

The restriction of a female military personnel from contracting any marriage

"In the instant case, the discrimination is not as to the fact

Any Law or Regulation that makes or attempts to make the

FUNMI FALANA, FCI Arb.

soldier whowas captured in a viral video acceptinga

They opined that the arrest was discriminatory since

so many Male soldiers have been captured making

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