Army To Review Cases Of Officers Convicted and Condemned to Death

 

According to Daily Independent, The Nigerian Army has finally bowed to intense pressure as it said that it has concluded all arrangements to embark on an administrative procedure to review recent disciplinary cases (court-martials) of the over 600 soldiers and officers, including many that were condemned to death.

They officers were allegedly found wanting for  deserting the war against the Boko Haram. The Spokesman of the Army, Col. Sani Usman, gave the indication in a statement in Abuja, Sunday. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the Nigerian Army is reviewing all recent disciplinary cases due to the wave of litigations and petitions by some aggrieved personnel,” Col. Usman noted.

He was, however, quick to say that “the public should not misconstrue the recent directive to mean total call of dismissed and deserter soldiers.”

It would be recalled that recently, 72 soldiers were condemned to death by three courts-martial  for alleged cowardice, mutiny, aiding the enemy and other charges. Another 579 are currently facing courts-martial.

Most of the low-ranking soldiers were condemned to death by firing squad for refusing to fight against Boko Haram insurgents. The others were convicted for either inciting their colleagues to mutiny or protesting alleged non-payment of salaries, allowances and lack of equipment to repel the insurgents. 

They however approached the Federal High Court seeking that their conviction by the court martial be set aside on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. Their applications were filed separately by Femi Falana (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and a former President of the Senate, Chief Ameh Ebute. 

The 72 are those found guilty from the over 300 arrested and charged by the military authorities. They include 54 soldiers from the 111 Special Forces Battalion of the 7 Division of the Army in Maiduguri; four from 81 Battalion of the same division and 12 others for firing at their then commanding officer, Maj-Gen. Ahmed Mohammed, on May 14, 2014 at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri. 

This was however followed by loud outcry by both local and international bodies. The victims also challenged the judgment in the court of law. Findings by Daily Independent revealed that the review of the cases came through an order signed by army administrator, Maj. Gen. A. B. Abubakar, and dated July 31 which requires all accused and condemned soldiers to appear in  Kaduna  before a committee sitting from August 7 – 24, to screen and assess all disciplinary cases arising from erstwhile Op Zaman Lafiya against Boko Haram. 

Though the trial of the convicted soldiers was done under cover, most of the victims said that they were  sent into the battle field  with no commensurate weapons  and in most times with just 30 bullets each, hence they have to run for their lives  when their ammunition eventually got exhausted.

“We weren’t given an opportunity to defend ourselves. I’ve spent 20 years in the service of the Nigerian army. I’ve never been accused of any offence,” one of the soldiers was quoted as saying.

However, Falana, a human right lawyer, had described the trials “a travesty” held in secret.

Falana who is a counsel to the victims further insisted then that “the army was making scapegoats of inexperienced soldiers” as  his clients were aged between 21 and 25.

However, when the President Muhammadu Buhari took over power on May 29, many stakeholders in the security sector were of the view  the president was going to review the judgment meted out on the officers.