By Agu Ogechi Anita
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 passed second reading in Senate on Thursday.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua representing Katsina Central.
Leading the debate on the bill, Senator Yar’adua said the current Armed Forces Act, rooted in the 1960s military decrees and last consolidated in 2004, no longer meets the demands of Nigeria’s constitutional and security realities.
He said, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain the cornerstone of our sovereignty and national security,” standing gallantly in defence of our nation, from combating insurgency and terrorism to peacekeeping across Africa, adding however that our military law has not kept pace with the evolving defence environment”.
Senator Yar’adua explained that the proposed legislation would align military governance with constitutional principles and democratic accountability, while modernising disciplinary procedures and operational structures.
He added that outdated fines, such as ₦200 and ₦500 penalties, would be replaced with percentage-based sanctions tied to salary levels, while fair hearing provisions and extended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.
Yar’adua noted that, 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, (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.
Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, (Borno North) described the bill as a necessary step towards subjecting military authorities to democratic control. He said, the bill seeks to bring our military laws in tandem with international best practices and under the authority of democratically elected institutions.
Also speaking, Senator Samson Ekong (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 framework.
When the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North), who presided over the session, put it to a voice vote, it was a resounding “aye” to pass it for second reading.
Senator Barau, who said laws are not static but evolve, then referred the bill to the Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force and Navy, for further legislative duties, to report back within four weeks.
