Nigerian Army has commenced trial of 20 soldiers for alleged murder and sale of firearms.Acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, while inaugurating the General Court Martial, GCM in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital yesterday said the offences were committed within the Theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Nigerian Pilot gathered that the 20 accused soldiers are of different ranks, who engaged in the sales of firearms meant for ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East.
General Ezugwu 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 counsels are mindful of this fact and strive to shun all forms of antics such as request 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.”
He charged the president and members of the military court to dispense the assignment in accordance with the appropriate extant laws and ensure that their decisions on all the cases before them was not clouded by bias.
The GOC revealed further that over a hundred soldiers have been tried and punished at the Brigade level over acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct.
Meanwhile, the president of the court, Brig. Gen. Adeniyi has assured that the accused soldiers would be given fair hearing. “I must assure all, especially the accused that they have nothing to fear, we are going to be fair to all of them and be guided by the constitution and all other military laws. We would be fair and just. There are higher courts where the judgement here can be appealed. You have the right for legal representation.
“We are not going to allow for any unnecessary delay, justice delayed they say is justice denied.”
Buratai salutes 7 retired Generals
Nigerian Army Engineers at the weekend in Makurdi, Benue State capital rowed out seven(7) generals who have meritoriously served the nation.
They include; Maj. Gen. Funso Samson Owonibi, Maj. Gen. Panebi Kaiser Ikumoinein, Brig. Gen. PO Reis, Brig. Gen. Lot Tanko Titus, Brig. Gen. Bode FolushoAyeni, Brig. Gen. Osamudiamen Abel Osemwota and Brig. Gen. Arinze ChukaEbenebe.
Speaking at the colourful ceremony which was held at the Riverside in Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering (NSME) the Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lt. Gen. TukurBuratai, extolled the virtues of the retired generals, noting that they contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s military.
The COAS who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Planning of the Nigerian Army Maj. Gen. Lincoln Ogunewe said though retired, their valuable expertise would be needed from time to time as part of continuous effort to reform the military.
Commander Corps of Engineer, CCE Maj. Gen. Edmond Obi also saluted the generals for their great contributions to the service of their fatherland.
He noted that the foundation they laid, will continue to be built upon by those still serving.
While the Deputy Governor of the State Engr. Benson Abounu who represented Governor Samuel Ortom acknowledged the great role engineers play in development of any nation.
He lauded the retired generals for the role they have played in the growth of the military, pledging that the State government is always willing to support military formations in the State to enable them discharge their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment