MAIDUGURI—The
Nigerian Army has court-martialed two soldiers for manslaughter and desertion,
while fighting Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism under Operation
Lafiya Dole
in the North-East of the country.
The soldiers,
Lance Corporal Hassan Adamu and Private Chigozie Egbe, were sentenced after
they were charged on counts one and two for alleged manslaughter in Maiduguri
on December 23, 2015, and deserting the Nigerian Army for 272 days, before Boko
Haram attacked and captured Gwoza on August 8, 2014.
Passing the judgement,
yesterday, at the 7 Division Garrison of Nigeria Army, the Court-Martial
President, Brig-General Olusegun Adeniyi, said: “Having found you guilty of the
charges against you and having listened to your presentations for your service
records and your touching claims in investigations, Dozie is sentenced for 14
months imprisonment, while the second charge against miscellaneous offences has
been dismissed by this court.” Lance Corporal Adamu, who was found guilty of
manslaughter in Maiduguri on Ahmadu Bello Way on December 23, 2015, was also
sentenced for seven years imprisonment.
Adeniyi however, noted: “We have also
looked at the various punishments provided by both Section 50 (4) paragraph
eight of Armed Forces Act, cap. A20 Laws of the Federation; as well as Section
118 (1) of Armed Forces Act. chapter A20 Laws of the Federation. “This court
has also considered the need to ensure the maintenance of discipline,
especially as our Counter-Terrorism and Insurgency war fighting continues. This
court hereby sentenced you to seven years based on the evidence of killing Umar
Anka. He said the sentencing of this Court Martial; is however subject to
confirmation by confirming authority as provided by Section 141 (2) and Section
152 (1b) of the Armed Forces Act. He announced that these trials of two
soldiers, in the cases of manslaughter and dissertation, are concluded.
0 Comments