The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has vowed to thoroughly investigate the prolonged and unlawful detention of Seaman Abbas Haruna, who has been held in custody for nearly six years without trial. This was revealed in a statement released by the Chairman of the Committee, Yusuf Gagdi, on Monday. According to the statement, the committee is determined to bring justice to Haruna’s case and ensure that those responsible for his wrongful detention are held accountable.
Haruna’s ordeal, as recounted by his wife, Hussaina Iliyasu, on the popular human rights program “Berekete” on Human Rights Television, began in 2018 when he was assigned to a joint military operation in Sarti Baruwa, Taraba State. It was during this deployment that a conflict arose between him and Brigadier General MS Adamu, his commanding officer. The disagreement resulted in Haruna’s detention under harsh and inhumane conditions. Despite the requirements outlined in the Armed Forces Act of 2004, which mandates a formal trial process, Haruna has remained in detention without a proper hearing for several years.
The committee stressed that it would leave no stone unturned in its investigation, vowing to hold all parties involved accountable. It emphasized the need to uphold the rule of law, particularly within the military, and to ensure that justice is served for Haruna, who has been deprived of his rights for an extended period. The committee also intends to use this case as an example to prevent similar abuses from happening in the future and to reinforce the importance of adherence to due process in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
