Femi Falana (SAN), Human Rights lawyer, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government, against entering into what he described as illegal agreements worth billions of dollars with foreign countries that may be challenged and set aside.
YaahooJournalist reports that Falana gave this warning while speaking at a news conference in Abuja on the decision of the people of Western Sahara to challenge the “illegal” importation of tons of phosphates and other natural resources from their country into Nigeria by Morocco.
The legal luminary said President Buhari’s government must be weary of agreements and treaty it signed with Morocco as such violates the rights of the Saharawi people.
Falana revealed the treaties and agreement signed between Nigeria and Morocco is enforceable in the country as the Nigerian government has not deposited same with the National Assembly to adopt and enact them into law as required by section 12 of the Nigerian constitution.
The Human Rights activist warned on parties entering into such agreements to immediately cancel them and “respect the human rights of the people of Western Sahara to enjoy their natural resources as recognized by article 20 and 21 of the African charter on human and peoples rights.”
According to him, “We are going to start with Nigeria because currently, tons of phosphates are being imported into the country from Western Sahara on the basis of illegal agreements entered into between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco as well as certain companies. We are warning such parties and we are alerting them of the decision of the people of Western Sahara to defend their rights to their resources.
“The government of Nigeria has not; until now deposited any of the bilateral agreements entered into with the Kingdom of Morocco with the National Assembly. By virtue of section 12 of the Nigerian constitution, no treaty or agreement between another country and Nigeria can be enforced without same being adopted and enacted into law by the National Assembly.
“We are warning the government of Nigeria that is still battling with the award of $9.6 billion by an artibtration tribunal in the United Kingdom. We are drawing the attention of Nigeria to the illegal agreements worth billions of dollars that may also be challenged and set aside,” Falana warned.
