ome retired senior military officers have backed the death sentence passed on 12 soldiers of the Nigerian Army for committing mutiny.

The officers told SUNDAY PUNCH that it was necessary for the military to maintain its age-long rules on discipline.

The soldiers were court-martialled for a variety of offences, including firing shots at the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Mohammed, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The military court, which convicted the soldiers in Abuja, found 13 out of the 18 soldiers guilty of mutiny, criminal conspiracy, attempted murder (shooting at the vehicle of the GOC); insubordination and false accusation.

Twelve of the convicted soldiers were sentenced to death, five were discharged and acquitted, while the remaining one was jailed for 28 days with hard labour.

Those sentenced to death were Jasper Braidolor, David Musa, Friday Onuh, Yusuf Shuaibu, Igonmu Emmanuel, Andrew Ugbede, Nurudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukagba, Alao Samuel, Amadi Chukwuma, Alan Linus, and Stephen Clement.

In the aftermath of the conviction, some prominent Nigerians and pressure groups have urged the military not to carry out the sentences.

But the retired senior military officers who spoke to our correspondents hailed the judgment and said it would have to be carried out.

A former Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Brig.-Gen. Williams Obene (retd.), said, “I commend the boldness of the Army authorities to follow the terms and conditions of service – the extant laws that established the armed forces, particularly the Army– and for trying to uphold discipline at the highest level.

“When politicians and highly influential Nigerians interfere in the daily administration of the military, things become difficult. That situation is very prevalent under democracy.”

Also, a former Adjutant-General of the Nigerian Army, Major General David Jemibewon (retd.), said the court martial must have considered available evidence and circumstances before reaching its decision on the soldiers.

Jemibewon who is a former Minister of Police Affairs said, “The military does not operate on sentiments or on people expressing either sympathy or lack of sympathy. Most of the things (we do) in the military are based on laws. It is difficult for me to align with people calling for clemency or pardon.

“The court martial has the facts and they have now come to conclusion after allowing evidence.”

In the same vein, retired Colonel Anthony Nyiam also hailed the judgment. Nyiam, was one of those sentenced to death by the regime of former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, said, “As a soldier, and respecter of the law and tradition, the worst thing a soldier can do is to mutiny. And the penalty, as the law says, should be served. If you interrupt the traditions of the military, you’re interfering with the foundations.”

Similarly, a former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (retd.), backed the sentence, adding that it was in line with military rules and regulations.

He said, “The court has followed the laid down procedure and military etiquette. They (the court) must have looked at the entire situations before arriving at the sentence.

“We have our own laws and so many things regulating our conduct in the military. I will not want anybody to die but we are talking of military procedure, which has to be followed.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has said it is waiting for the approval of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on the death sentence given to the soldiers.

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, insisted that the military must handle its matters in line with stipulated procedures even in the face of contrary public opinion.

He said, “The issues are these: was an offence committed; did the military follow due process in prosecuting those involved in the offence; were the cases duly prosecuted in a court of law recognised by the law?

“The Army followed standard military procedures, set up a court that is recognised by the laws of the country and carried out the trial in line with the procedures of the military.

“But why are people even jumping the gun. The judgment is still awaiting confirmation by the Chief of Army Staff.”

LordMecuzy: Really Sad.

Mutiny is a Serious Offence in the Army Tradition

barcanista: The Law Must be served to the latter!!! Mutiny is a serious offence... God bless the Military

nairalife2013: If they are guilty and they are pardoned, it will affect d military foundations. Mutiny? Were they insane? They had already decided to die for sure. Fire a gun at an officer? a GOC for dat matter? Well I don't want any1 to die but dis is military not boys'scout. They should hav known better. Freeing dem will set an antecedent, datz d established theory and fear dat wil ensure they go six feet down. God be wid dem. They used their own hands to make their own wives and kids widows and the fatherless, not even in battlefield warfront! but wid their own leader. Oh insurbodination where is thy pride? Oh death where is thy sting?

dont8: What if the sentence is turn to, say life imprisonment and they get pardon later considering they were protesting for what is genuine, their welfare?

nairalife2013: it was established by creditable witnesses, backed by hard evidence, dat they fired shots at d GOC and his Car. Datz enoff, no matter d motif.

tit: I do not know what "rules of evidence" the military uses.
I read in daily Trust (?) some details of the trial.
The prosecution is so sorry, they did not even attempt to prove their case of mutiny.

1)The GOC had no gunshot wounds to evidence that 20 of his trained marksmen tried to gun him down.
(Did he train them so badly they could not hit the target at stone throw distance?)

tit: I do not know what "rules of evidence" the military uses.
I read in daily Trust (?) some details of the trial.
The prosecution is so sorry, they did not even attempt to prove their case of mutiny.

1)The GOC had no gunshot wounds to evidence that 20 of his trained marksmen tried to gun him down.
(Did he train them so badly they could not hit the target at stone throw distance?)
2) The GOC's vehicle had no bullet holes. .
(Did Mr. GOC Mohammed train his men so badly they could not hit an elephant across a room? Or where they not shooting at him?)
The car was not even brought before the tribunal as evidence
The Judges should have dismissed the case if Mr GOC Mohammed had no bullet wounds (maybe him get juju) and his car had no bullet holes.
We like to think of the Army as a unit, but even they have disagreements among themselves.

3)Soldiers and policemen have been known to shoot their guns in celebration and on other occasions. the shootings at the barracks should not be misconstrued as attempt to kill mr GOC!
He should not take it too personal that his orders were not understood by these men who were affected by the fog of war!

Maybe the trial officers are taking the drugs we expect them to give to the boys so they can face boko haram without fear or favor but if t:his case is appealed and gets before a competent civilian court, the judgement will be thrown into the dust-bin where it belongs.

LordMecuzy: Really Sad.

Mutiny is a Serious Offence in the Army Tradition

dont8: I get you but, there are many questions to be asked and Tit has done justice to that below, can you answer any?

Good questions raised, God bless you for this.

This might be the reason the Genaral was fired.

nairalife2013: well dont8, to be sincere, I am not sure d hard evidence witness story came from credible sources. I only got it from a colleague at tea break recess time at my work place. I catch ya point. Thanks for yur ardent follow up. U must be a good man. I hereby giv up on d issué for those Well-informd to comment, lest I contribute(God 4bid) indirectly to d spillage of innocent blood.

sheniqua: Southerners and Christians rebelled against a Muslim General working in cahoots with boko haram and they are now sentenced to die

Those sentenced to death were Jasper Braidolor, David
Musa, Friday Onuh, Yusuf Shuaibu, Igonmu Emmanuel,
Andrew Ugbede, Nubrudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukagba, Alao
Samuel, Amadi Chukwuma, Alan Linus, and Stephen
Clement.

mabeni: which one is MUTINY now; Can somebody explain it better?

barcanista: The Law Must be served to the latter!!! Mutiny is a serious offence... God bless the Military

GowonAbacha:
I can't really blame these people sha..they have a life to live and they can't imagine being butchered by an islamic sect. Its not even like the government will take care of their families after their death. Many of them are poorly equiped and yet, still sent into the war front. They had no choice but to think twice. Some military officials once said it, "give us good weapons and we'll fight boko haram with our whole heart".