“Individual rights of those threatening national security must take second place” – Buhari
President Buhari said at the 2018 annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja on Sunday that rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.
He said the rights of those who threaten national security does not take priority in place of the greater good of the society.
“Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that; where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society,” he said.
Shi’ites leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is still being held over allegations that his group was causing unrest in Kaduna.
Buhari further said that his government has “made appreciable progress in several sectors including public awareness of the need to challenge the corrupt and the brazen in our midst.”
“However, elements within every society, including some lawyers, can equally become unduly resistant to change, even where it is proven that such change is to serve the interest of the larger society. At worst, corruption fights back,” he said.
