Lawyer and social critic, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has
advised Mr. Sam Ortom, governor of Benue State, to use his
constitutional powers instead of begging the federal government to order
the arrest Fulani herdsmen killing people in the state.
Mr. Falana offered the advice while speaking with reporters on
Tuesday. He noted that under Section 215 of the Constitution, the
governor is empowered to direct the Benue State Police Commissioner to
arrest all known criminal suspects and upon the arrest, the governor
should direct the Attorney-General of Benue State to arraign them in
court.
The lawyer argued that since President Mohammadu Buhari
has assured that the criminal suspects would be brought to book, he
cannot countermand the directive of the governor to restore law and
order in Benue State.
Mr. Falana said his position is anchored on the decision of the
Supreme Court in the case of AG, Anambra State v. AG, Federation (2005) 9
NWLR (PT 931) 572 at 616 where Uwais CJN (as he then was) held: “The
Constitution in Section 215 subsection (1) clearly gives the Governor of
Anambra State the power to issue lawful direction to the Commissioner
of Police, Anambra State, in connection with securing public safety in
the State.”