Alleged Interim Government plot criminal, punishable by death – Lawyer

Against the backdrop of an alleged plot by some key political players in the country to install an interim government, a lawyer and scholar on violent extremism, Bulama Bukarti, has described the move as criminal, unconstitutional, and punishable by death.

Bukarti stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

He said, “This move is undemocratic, it’s illegal, and it’s unconstitutional. Section 1 of our constitution is very clear that no part of Nigeria can be ruled other than by constitutional means;

“… and the only means recognised by the constitution is for people to win an election and to be duly inaugurated by the authorities stipulated by the law.

“And therefore, it’s unconstitutional, it’s also criminal because what these people are planning is potentially what is called treason under our criminal laws and it’s punishable by death it carries the death penalty, which shows that it’s one of the most heinous crimes in Nigeria.”

Recall that the Department of State Services, DSS, Wednesday, had earlier raised the alarm over an ongoing plot by some key political players in the country to install an interim government.

The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, revealed the step-by-step ways key political players are planning to effect their plans, in a statement made available to Vanguard.

According to him, the planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, sponsoring endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. Again, the service said they are planning to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

The statement reads, “The DSS considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace-loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.

“The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency.

“Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the federal and state levels.

“The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction.

“It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the states.

“It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come May 29.

“Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.

“Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media, and the civil society are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

“While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions,” the secret service warned.