An officer and 16 soldiers are to face trial for offences related to murder, arms dealing and other serious charges to underscore the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability among its personnel.
This was made known during the inauguration of the 3 Division General Court Martial at the Rukuba Cantonment, in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
The court martial, was convened by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and the Commander, Operation Safe Haven. President of the Court Martial, Brigadier-General Laifis Bello, said it was set up as part of military routine so that justice can be dispensed to accused men in the Army.
The Advocate Justice of the Court Martial, Major Nasir Abdullahi, appealed to the counsels against frivolous adjournments that will only lengthen the period of the cases before the court martial.
A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Jos Branch was also at the inaugural sitting, where they pledged their support for the court martial.
According to the Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services of the 3 Division, Major Aminu Mansur, one officer and 16 soldiers are to be brought before the court martial, with cases ranging from murder to illegal possession of fire arms and a host of others.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
