Nigerian Army records gains from court martial of soldiers- Official

The Nigerian Army has revealed the gains of the ongoing General Court Martial of some soldiers and officers over mutiny and other offences, saying it has instilled discipline and professionalism in the Armed Forces.

Army spokesman, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye said Wednesday at a press briefing that troops were better attuned to the reality of the nation’s security emergency.

Laleye said: “On this note, I wish to bring to your attention that the strict enforcement of service regulations and laws by the Army is paying off. Troops are now better attuned to the reality of our national security emergency.

“Cases of unprofessional conducts have been significantly reduced. The Army notes with satisfaction that troops’ fighting spirit, courage, determination and patriotism have been rekindled.”

He confirmed that a number of officers and men were still undergoing trial before General Court Martial in Abuja, Lagos and Jos, for various offences.
He dismissed reports that proceedings at the General Court Martial did not follow due process, saying the court martial was not a mushroom court.

He said, “The judicial process that led to the convictions and acquittals followed international best practices in military law and also confirms to relevant Nigerian laws.

“This is contrary to insinuations I. The media which suggest that due process has not been followed in the trial of officers and soldiers. Let me state categorically that a General Court Martial has the status of the high court and is backed by extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he stated.

General Laleye however added that the all military court is not a final authority, saying that the process and convictions were subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior military authority and also subject to appeal.

“Therefore, it is erroneous and mischievous to create the impression that pronouncements arising from the General Court Martial are an aberration or do not follow due process”.

Laleye said the Army had introduced new effective strategies to the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the Northeastern part of the country, saying this had led to the recovery of some territories captured by the Boko Haram insurgents.

He listed the towns recaptured by the military to include Gombi, Hong, Uba, Makera, Mubi, Holma and Vimtim; all in Adamawa State. However, some territories similarly captured by the insurgents in Borno and Yobe States are still under the control of the insurgents.

He vowed that every inch on Nigerian territory still under Boko Haram’s control would be recovered until the enemy is defeated.

The Army spokesman the military would work in collaboration with other security and relevant agencies to ensure credible and violence free elections in the country, particularly in the troubled Northeastern part.

He however stated that the military would be involved in the process of the 2015 election only on the directive from a “higher authority”.

“You never can tell, the 2015 general elections might turn out to be the best in the history of elections in the country,” he said.