From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has convened a General Court Martial to prosecute 12 serving soldiers over allegations bordering on murder, assault, and aiding criminal activities, in a move seen as part of efforts to reinforce discipline and accountability within the military.
The military panel was inaugurated at the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, by the Commander of the formation, Major-General Olurotimi Awolo, who was represented at the proceedings by the President of the Court Martial, Colonel Salihu Ibrahim.
Speaking during the inauguration, Colonel Ibrahim said the court was constituted in accordance with Section 131 of the Armed Forces Act and would strictly adhere to constitutional provisions and established legal procedures in determining the cases brought before it.
He assured that the proceedings would be guided by the principles of fairness, justice, and due process, stressing that every accused soldier appearing before the panel must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
According to him, the military justice system remains committed to ensuring discipline within the ranks while also protecting the legal and constitutional rights of all personnel standing trial.
“The court will examine each case solely on its merit in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the principles of natural justice. Every accused person remains innocent until proven otherwise,” Ibrahim said.
The court president further charged both the prosecution and defence teams to conduct themselves professionally and ensure the proceedings were not unnecessarily delayed.
However, proceedings suffered an immediate setback after six of the 12 soldiers facing trial were declared medically unfit to appear before the panel.
The development followed a medical assessment presented by the court’s medical orderly, Sergeant Audu Ahmadu, who informed the panel that five of the affected soldiers were suffering from dangerously elevated blood pressure levels, making them unfit to participate in the hearing.
Following the disclosure, the prosecuting counsel, Captain Shamsudeen Sadiq, requested an adjournment to enable the affected soldiers receive urgent medical attention before the trial could proceed.
Counsel to the accused soldiers, George Illah, on his part, assured the court that the defence team would closely monitor the proceedings and vigorously defend the constitutional rights of all personnel standing trial.
He stressed that due process must be strictly observed throughout the trial, noting that the accused soldiers were entitled to a fair hearing under both military and civilian legal frameworks.
After considering submissions from both parties, the panel granted the request for adjournment and postponed further proceedings to a date yet to be announced.
