My attention has been duly drawn to the opinions and comments of some learned jurists and senior lawyers on the illegality or otherwise of the appointment of Service Chiefs by Mr President.
With the greatest deference to such position, I am of the opinion and I stand to believe that though the office of Service Chiefs is one of several that have constitutional procedures and flavour subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly. However, such procedure is a continuum and at the moment, the ‘appointment’ cannot be tainted or tagged as illegal or unconstitutional.
Mr President has only nominated but not adorned the Acting Service Chiefs with the concomitant ranks. Therefore thier appointment except that of the Chief of Defence Staff is inchoate and rudimentary until the confirmation by the National Assembly as provided by Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act.
-Dr. Kayode Ajulo
