Army arraigns over 80 soldiers in Borno – TheNigerialawyer

The Nigerian Army has arraigned over 80 soldiers at a General
Army Court Martial in Maiduguri over various offences.

Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian
Army, Maiduguri, Brig Gen Abdul Ibrahim while inaugurating the
General Court Martial at Maimalari Cantonement Maiduguri on
Thursday, said success of military operations was largely dependent
on discipline of troops.

“Acts of cowardice, desertion, unsoldierly behaviour and other
forms of undiscipline has no place n any army, more so am army
executing war, ” the GOC said.

He said the soldiers were being arraigned for various offences
including disobedience, desertion and misconduct but assured
justice will be served.

He said section 131 sub-section 2 (d) of the Armed Forces Act
CAP A20 LFN 2004 empowered him as the General Officer Commanding to
constitute the court martial yo determine the culpability or
otherwise of the offenders.

He explained that the constitution of the court martial was not
different from other military assignment carried out by him as the
GOC. He said the court did not have any special interest to serve
“other than the routine duties carried out within legal confines of
regimentation.”

He assured that the 7 division would ensure a level playing
ground for all parties appearing before the Court. “The resolve of
the division and indeed the Nigerian Army towards ensuring just and
fair adjucation of all the cases will not be compromised” he
promised.

Commenting on why most of the offenders were young soldiers, the
GOC maintained the army would not condone any act of undiscipline
irrespective of the year of entrance into the force. “They all
voluntarily joined the army and signed to work,,” he said.

The President of the Court, Brig Gen Wisdom Etuk has already
commenced trial processes with the presence of lawyers to the
accused.