The Nigerian Army, on Monday, barred a lawyer, Mr Tope Akinyode, from seeing his client, Lance Corporal Martins Idakpani, despite an order of a Federal High Court compelling the army to grant him access to the soldier.
Idakpani has been in detention since June for allegedly insulting the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, in a video which has gone viral on social media.
He was arrested along with his wife, Victoria. While she was released a few days later, Idakpani has remained in custody and denied access to relatives and legal representation.
Justice Anwuli Chikere had about two weeks ago ordered that Idakpani’s lawyer be granted access to him.
However, Akinyode said he had been denied access to his client twice.
The lawyer said it was unfortunate that the army under the leadership of Buratai had decided to disobey a valid court order.
Akinyode said he feared that his client may have been tortured or killed hence the decision of the army to deny him access.
