The Nigerian Army has set up a General Court Martial to try 12 soldiers for alleged murder, assault, and aiding criminality.
The panel was inaugurated at the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria, by the formation’s commander, Major-General Olurotimi Awolo.
He was represented by the court president, Colonel Salihu Ibrahim.
Colonel Ibrahim stated that the court was formed under Section 131 of the Armed Forces Act. He promised that the panel would judge each case strictly on its merit, guided by the 1999 Constitution and the principles of natural justice.
He stressed that all accused personnel remain innocent until proven guilty.
The court president demanded fairness and professionalism from both sides, urging the prosecution and defence teams to avoid delays.
However, the trial was hit by an immediate setback when six of the 12 soldiers were declared medically unfit to stand trial.
The court’s medical orderly, Sergeant Audu Ahmadu, confirmed to the panel that five of those soldiers suffered from dangerously high blood pressure.
Following the medical report, prosecutor Captain Shamsudeen Sadiq requested an adjournment so the soldiers could receive treatment.
Defence counsel, George Illah, vowed that the defence team would fight to protect the constitutional rights of the accused throughout the trial.
The court subsequently granted the request and postponed proceedings to an unannounced date.
More details here...
