The court martial trying erstwhile Commander of the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi, Brigadier-General Muraina Raji, for the escape of Boko Haram suspects from detention in Bauchi, has discharged and acquitted the General.

But the Court, however, convicted the General on “special findings” and sentenced him to a three-month loss of seniority in his present rank of Brigadier-General, subject to the approval of appropriate confirming military authorities.

Explaining what the court meant by “special findings,” the President of the court said the accused failed to show interest in the detainees who were regarded as high profile.

It would be recalled that Raji was charged with neglect in performing military duties punishable under section 62(b) of Armed Forces Act (AFA) CAP A20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as he, at Shadawanka Barracks between January 17 and February 18, failed to provide guard/standing orders for soldiers detailed on duty at Wetland detention facility.

Negligence in performance of military duties is punishable under the same section of AFA as he woefully failed to adequately assign responsibilities to officers under him to guarantee the safety of high profile detainees at the detention facility at Shadawanka Barracks