20 Nigerian Soldiers Face Trial for Murder and Gunrunning

20 Nigerian Soldiers Face Trial for Murder and Gunrunning

Twenty Nigerian soldiers are facing a court-martial for extra-judicial killing and gunrunning committed during the war against Boko Haram in the Nort-East of the country.

The Punch reports that the soldiers – four officers and 16 other ranks – were brought before a newly inaugurated General Court-Martial headed by Brig. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi.

According to the acting General Officer Commanding,  7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the court martial is aimed at instilling discipline in within the army.

He said, “The court-martial is to achieve timely and quick dispensation of justice within the framework provided in relevant statute books.

“Therefore, it is important that both the prosecution and the accused persons or their counsel are mindful of this fact and strive to shun all forms of antics such as requests for frivolous adjournments which could lead to delays in the trial processes. It is often said in the legal parlance that, justice delayed is justice denied.”

Ezugwu said that some of the accused were involved in criminal activities such as murder, crimes against civilians, and illegal sales of firearms.

The GOC said over 100 soldiers had been tried and punished at the Brigade level over acts of indiscipline and unprofessionalism.

Also speaking at the inaugural sitting of the court martial, the president of the court, Brig. Gen. Adeniyi, said the accused would be given fair hearing and should not entertain any fear if they were innocent of the crime they have been charged for.

He said: “I must assure all, especially the accused, that they have nothing to fear. We are going to be fair to all of them. Be guided by the constitution and all other military laws. We would be fair and just. There are higher courts where the judgements here can be appealed. You have the right for legal representation.”