Femi Falana a Human Rights Lawyer, has categorised any sale of National assets as illegal and against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lawyer said this in his latest article titled: “Sale Of National Assets Is Illegal”, citing constitutional and historical references.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Business magnate, Aliko Dangote and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele have all called for the sales of national assets to revive the ailing economy.
But Falana in the article said: “The sale of national assets is in total conflict with section 16 of the Constitution, which has prohibited the concentration of the nation’s wealth in the hands of a few people or a group.
“It is pertinent to point out that the suggestion is in total conflict with section 16 of the Constitution which has prohibited the concentration of the nation’s wealth in the hands of a few people or a group”.
“Indeed, by section 44 of the Constitution the nation’s natural resources shall be held in trust for the Nigerian people by the federal government. One would have expected senators who swore to protect the Constitution to kick against the suggestion to sell the assets of the nation to a few people.
“But for selfish considerations a few legislators who may be queuing up to participate in the purchase of the nation’s assets are not prepared to defend the Constitution.
“If the Senate is genuinely desirous to contribute meaningfully to the debate on the economy it should, as a matter of urgency, propose a substantial reduction in the jumbo emoluments of federal legislators which are said to be the highest in the world.”
