Women demand release of female soldier detained for proposing to marry youth corps member
Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, a civil society organization, has urged the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, to respect the decision of a female soldier, Private Sofiyat Akinlabi, who accepted a marriage proposal to a male you corps member at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in Kwara State.
Funmi Falana, leader of the group and wife of human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN in a letter to the COAS, demanded the immediate release of Akinlabi, who is currently being detained by the Nigerian Army.
Periscope International recalls that Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, had earlier vowed that Akinlabi would be sanctioned for violating military laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee.
Falana, in a letter titled, ‘Request for the Release of Private Sofiyat Akinlabi’, stressed that the female soldier had not contravened the regulation on restriction of marriage for three years.
According to her, no male soldier has ever been punished for proposing to a love interest in public as seen on social media and therefore, contended that the detention of Akinlabi was illegal.
The letter reads in part, “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 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.
“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 Section 40 of the Constitution.
