President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination on Thursday of his immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors may be to shield them from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for atrocities and rights abuses committed by the Nigerian military under their watch. Nigerians who have reacted to the appointment have stated this on social media.
There have been calls since their retirement last week for the prosecution of especially Mr Buratai who led the Nigerian Army for about five and a half years.
But Thursday evening, a statement by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the president had forwarded the names of the former service chiefs to the Senate for confirmation as non-career ambassadors.
They include former Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; former Chief of Air Staff, Ibok Ibas; and former Chief of Naval Staff, Abubakar Sadique.
Their nominations come a week after they resigned from service and their replacements were inaugurated.
Their confirmation as ambassadors will confer on them diplomatic immunity.
Article 29 of the Vienna Convention protects diplomats from arrest and grants them immunity against civil and criminal prosecution.
Reactions monitored on Social media by EXCEL BREAKING NEWS showed that most Nigerians condemned the appointment, slamming the President for what they described as a bias appointment.
The past chief of security officials have been accused of human rights violation and abuse, with many Nigerians calling on the International Criminal Court to prosecute them.
