The Senate on Thursday advanced a landmark reform of Nigeria’s military justice system, passing for second reading a bill that seeks to repeal and re-enact the Armed Forces Act to make it constitutionally compliant, democratically accountable, and aligned with modern operational realities.
The bill, titled Armed Forces Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025, was sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central). It proposes sweeping updates to Nigeria’s military laws, including a key provision that would, for the first time, make military tribunal convictions subject to judicial review by civilian courts.
Lawmakers described the provision as a critical step toward fairness, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights within the Armed Forces.
Leading debate on the bill, Yar’adua argued that the existing Act — rooted in 1960s military decrees and last consolidated in 2004 — is outdated and inconsistent with the constitutional order and Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain the cornerstone of our sovereignty and national security… however, our military law has not kept pace with the evolving defence environment.”
The proposed legislation seeks to align military governance with constitutional norms and international best practices. It also introduces reforms to disciplinary procedures, operational structures, and welfare systems. Outdated penalties such as N200 and N500 fines would be replaced with percentage-based sanctions tied to officers’ salaries, while non-commissioned officers would receive expanded rights and fair-hearing guarantees.
According to Yar’adua, the bill would also criminalise undue command interference in courts-martial to preserve the integrity and independence of the military justice system.
During the debate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) stressed the constitutional importance of permitting judicial review of tribunal convictions, saying the current framework — where military authorities investigate and adjudicate — violates core legal principles.
“This bill seeks to bring our military laws in tandem with international best practices and under the control of democratically elected institutions… It introduces the right of fair hearing and judicial oversight,” Monguno said.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) welcomed the proposal as “long overdue,” arguing that the Armed Forces must operate under modern laws that reflect transparency and professionalism. Similarly, Senator Sampson Ekong (APC, Akwa Ibom South) said the reform would deepen defence policy and strengthen accountability across the military.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, praised the effort as exemplary for broader governance reforms.
“Our laws should evolve with the times. This effort to modernise the legal framework for the Armed Forces should be a model for reforms across all sectors of our national life,” he said.
The bill was referred to the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force, and Navy for further legislative review, with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
