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Court Strikes Down 15-Year Compulsory Service Rule for Soldiers
In a landmark ruling that could reshape military service in Nigeria, the National Industrial Court (NIC) has nullified a controversial provision of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) that forced officers and men of the Armed Forces to serve a minimum of 15 years before being allowed to resign.
Delivering judgment in Abuja on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim declared the policy oppressive, unconstitutional, and a violation of the fundamental rights of military personnel guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
The verdict followed a suit (NICN/ABJ/25/2025) filed by Flight Lieutenant J.A. Akerele of the Nigerian Air Force, who challenged the refusal of his resignation request by military authorities.
Akerele, who was commissioned as a pilot officer in 2013, narrated years of frustration and career stagnation in the NAF. In an affidavit before the court, he recounted repeated changes in specialty, loss of rank seniority, unfulfilled training programs, and what he described as “systematic persecution and victimisation.”
“I was never promoted like my course mates and was shuttled between five different career paths. The bitter experiences caused me severe emotional distress and enduring trauma,” he stated.
After voluntarily resigning, Akerele was subjected to interviews and counselling. His commanders reportedly supported his disengagement, but the then Chief of Air Staff rejected his resignation, citing HTACOS rules, and instead declared him absent without leave (AWOL), issuing a signal for his arrest.
Justice Subilim condemned the military’s actions, likening them to “modern-day slavery under the guise of national service.” He ruled that the constitution clearly grants public servants — including members of the Armed Forces — the right to resign voluntarily.
The court dismissed the Air Force’s technical argument that Akerele’s letter was headed “voluntary retirement” instead of “resignation,” noting that the substance of the letter, not its title, was what mattered.
“The word ‘resignation’ as used in Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution must be given a liberal and wider interpretation, in line with the Supreme Court’s principles of constitutional interpretation,” the judge held.
The court:
Declared Akerele’s resignation valid and effective from the date his letter was received.
Issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Chief of Air Staff and the NAF from arresting, detaining, or compelling him to remain in service.
Struck down the 15-year compulsory service requirement in HTACOS as unconstitutional.
This ruling sets a precedent that could affect thousands of serving personnel seeking to disengage from the Armed Forces before the 15-year benchmark. Legal analysts say it underscores the supremacy of constitutional rights over administrative rules and could trigger reforms in military service regulations.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major pillar of support for President Bola Tinubu in particular and Nigerians, especially the vulnerable ones in general.
The FCT Minister, in a goodwill message to the First Lady on her 66th birthday, commended her for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, saying “the roles the First Lady played in transforming the Abuja City Gate into how it is today, is a manifestation of her commitment to the success of her husband’s administration.”
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister also hailed the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that it has brought succor to several vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.
Wike said; “At 66, the simple way of life of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has remained an inspiration to women in the country, and it is my prayer that God will continue to uphold her.
“Most importantly, this new age is a confirmation of God’s love for her, and I pray that the good Lord will continue to grant her good health.
“I celebrate and rejoice with our ever caring and development oriented First Lady on the attainment of this significant age in her life and wish her many more years of service to our country, Nigeria.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has sacked one of its staff members for allegedly extorting unsuspecting candidates.
The Board made this known on Monday in its bulletin, stating that the action was part of its renewed efforts to eliminate fraudulent practices within the admission and examination system.
According to JAMB, the sanction against the unnamed staff member showed that its fight against exploitation was not limited to external fraudsters but also applied to employees found abusing their positions.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has terminated the appointment of one of its staff members for extorting unsuspecting candidates, in further demonstration of its renewed commitment to flushing out bad eggs from the system,” the board stated.
It further cautioned its employees against engaging in activities capable of undermining its credibility or exploiting candidates and members of the public.
The Board stressed that any staff members found guilty of misconduct would face severe consequences in line with established regulations.
“The Board noted that the action sends a clear and unequivocal message that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applies to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” it added.
The tertiary examination body reiterated that it would not shield any employee who abuses the trust placed in them by candidates or members of the public.
The Senate of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has suspended nine students for one academic session over their involvement in examination misconduct.
According to a statement by the university’s public relations unit and made available in Calabar on Monday, the suspension was conveyed to the affected students in letters signed by the registrar, Chukwuka Icha.
The action, the university said, followed approval by the Senate following recommendations by its Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC).
“The affected students have been suspended for the 2026/2027 academic session and are expected to resume their studies in the 2027/2028 academic session.
“Five of the affected students are from the Department of Theatre and Media Studies, Faculty of Arts,” it said.
The others are in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences; the Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences; the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences; and the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences,” the statement said.
The university directed the acting chief security officer, deans, heads of departments, and other relevant units to take note of the suspension and ensure full compliance with the directive.
(NAN)
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