[size=18pt]Court martial jails 27 ex-UN peacekeepers for life[/size] By Femi Makinde, Akure Published: Tuesday, 28 Apr 2009 The Brig.-Gen. Ishaya Bauka-led court martial on Monday sentenced 27 former United Nations peacekeepers to life imprisonment for protesting the non-payment of their peacekeeping allowances. Skip to next paragraph click to expand image Femi Makinde. Some of the soldiers sentenced to life imprisonment while arriving for judgment at the 323 Artillery Regiment, Akure, Ondo State , on Monday. The convicts include three female members of the peace operation. The court, however, discharged and acquitted one of the 28 accused soldiers, Lance Corporal Bala Aliyu, for want of evidence. The female soldiers, Yetunde Olanihun, Mary Idoko and Esther Nkawor, and other convicted soldiers who have been in detention since July 2008, did not betray any emotion as the court handed them the maximum punishment for their offence. The defence counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, who appeared briefly during the judgment, described it as a charade, saying the soldiers would appeal the judgment. Falana had accused the president of the court martial of bias during the hearing. He claimed that Bauka had said that no matter what, the soldiers would be punished for protesting. The human rights lawyer and the president of the court martial had an altercation during the hearing which led to Bauka walked away from the court. In a judgment that was read for more than five hours, the president of the court martial said that the prosecution team, led by Lt.-Col. Sampson Nurseman, proved beyond reasonable doubt that the 27 soldiers, who served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia, were guilty of a one count charge of mutiny levelled against them. The court held that the soldiers violated Section 12 subsection 2 of the Armed Forces Act of 2004. It added that the punishment prescribed by the law was life imprisonment for the offenders, subject to the confirmation by the superior authorities. The 27 soldiers jailed for life include Sergeant Oliver Akwara, Corporals Princewill Onwunari, Corporals Abass Saliu and Paul Maikudi. Others are Lance Corporals Umar Abdukadir, Musa Salisu, Paschal Steven, Ibrahim Yusuf Loveday Nnadi, Yomi Ibukun, Bello Zaharadeen, Okani Pope, Wanogho Shadrack, Lawal Abubakar, Innocent Egbuna and John Felix. The rest are Kabiru Mohammed, Chukwudi Onwukanjo, Samuel Ogbe, Jonathan Komo, Adaraloye Olalekan, Salisu Ibrahim, Anthogah Jonathan and Kelechi Anukan. All the soldiers served under Lt. Col.-Godwin Umelo in NIBATT 15 at the United Nations Missions in Liberia. Bauka held that the soldiers disobeyed the order of the commanding officer of the 323 Artillery Regiment, Akure, Ondo State, where they staged a public protest to press for the payment of their compulsory savings. Bauka said, “A junior serving personnel is bound to obey the order of their superior once the order is legal. The refusal to obey the order fails to meet the military standard.” The soldiers had during the trial said that they were arrested at random, adding that one of the officers collected a bribe of $150 from some of those arrested for the same offence. They stated that the officer freed those who paid the bribe and refused to let go those of them who refused to cooperate with him. But while the soldiers were jailed for life, the officers who were responsible for the mix-up which triggered the protest were given a very light punishment. The Army paying team, led by Lt. Col. Paul Baba, who was the Deputy Director at the Army Finance Corps, Abuja, was said to have wrongly paid the allowance of the convicted soldiers to members of NIBATT 14, including the commanding officer who were drawn from the 72 Para-Battalion, Makurdi, Benue State . Baba and other paying officers and the former Commanding Officer of 72 Para-Battallion, Col. A. Awotoye, were charged with cheating, stealing and negligence of duty before the same court martial. They were, however, punished by demotion, while the 27 soldiers were jailed for life. Falana, while praying for freedom for the soldiers, told the court that the prosecution failed woefully to prove the offence of mutiny against the accused persons. He said that although the ex-peacekeepers protested the illegal diversion of their allowances, none of them engaged in violence or any act capable of putting the Nigerian Army in imminent danger. The lawyer added that the accused persons did not conspire with foreign forces to subvert the sovereignty of Nigeria. Falana also told the court that the accused persons had constitutional right to protest as provided under Section 38 and 40 of 1999 Constitution, arguing that as soldiers, they could not be denied of this right as citizens of Nigeria. He said, “ The conduct of the accused persons cannot be classified as mutiny. By virtue of Section (52) (3) of the Armed Forces Act, a mere protest by soldiers is not a mutiny because ingredients of the offence of mutiny have been judicially defined in the case of CPL Segun Oladele and 22 Others versus Nigerian Army (2004)” He said that Oladele’s case had to do with a similar protest by 23 soldiers over the illegal seizure of their estacode and lack of adequate medical treatment after serving Africa in ECOMOG Peace Keeping Force in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The 23 soldiers were tried, convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, including life imprisonment, but the Court of Appeal set aside their conviction and the sentences passed on them. [size=18pt]Comments:[/size]
* Let those who think that Nigeria could still change come together to work towards that change, let us not be bothered about how long it might take, as long as we continue to work for a better future then soon we can make a difference. There are so many duplicated organisations out there that have almost the same objectives but would not work together. If those leading the struggle in these organisations really want change, then they should be ready to work with anybody that shares the same ideas
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, UK , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is terrible,justice expeditely dispensed on this matter while the criminal oil stealing generals both serving and retired do not get justice.What about the corrupt politicians and government officials who have looted Nigeria dry?Any justice for them?Ooh what a terrible country,big SHAME.Another indication that the law is meant for the poor and ordinary Nigerians.Failed and backward country.This is really disgusting.Cursed country.
Posted by: Edu Ogbonna , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* We have selfish Nigerians at the realm of affairs who only think about buying latest jeeps and building houses in various part of the country at the expense of the poor and suffering masses whose money they still steal to fund their lavish life style. Nigeria has more than is needed to meet our obligations to the poor masses but nobody is ready to do the necessary thing.
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, UK , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* I am going to challenge every one of us on this forum to look at ourselves and think about the ordinary man on the street of Nigeria who can not meet his daily needs because he is disabled or couldn’t get a job and the government keep saying that this same man should find a solution to his own problem. I live in UK, and the government give a weekly allowance of £50 to jobless individuals on top of housing benefit, free health, free training to get another job.
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, Uk , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Its important to obey constituted authorities, But i feel pity for theses 27 young men who happen to be soldiers in a country where anything goes.I suggest that these laws/constitution be amended so that those that stole and embezzled their allowance receive the life sentences while the junior officers receive a warning against mutiny with light sentences of demotion from their present rank.That should be the proper order.
Posted by: STANLEY , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Most of us on this forum keep saying that the government should change, do anyone think that a house built on a bad foundation can ever be solid. Nigeria will still not change until great minds who don’t think about their own selfish interest lead a campaign to tell and then fight for the right of majority of ignorant Nigerians who can then cast votes from their mind to reliable people.
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, Uk , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This story shows the same type of injustices that are being metted on ordinary civilians and until Nigerians get together and address the fundamental problems in our country, then it will always be business as usual. Political office holders who stole millions are been set free and those that get caught are given laughable sentences. In the developed countries anyone that steal from the people are sometimes given life imprisonment to deter others.
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, UK , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* No issue here let the legal team procced to the court of appeal.The good thing here is the right to appeal.
Posted by: Sonny Adenuga, Essex , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* It is a shame that a country like Nigeria will still allow such type of injustice to be perpetrated on ordinary soldiers whose salary in the first instance is peanut in comparison to what is given to other workers in private banks or oil companies. Where does the head of the military want these brave soldiers to feed their family from if they don’t fight for their allowances? It is an absolute nonsence to jail them for life because of an obsolete law that was set up during military dictatorship.
Posted by: Olasunkanmi Ola, UK , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* God works in mysterious ways.The good lord has set the mass murderers of niger deltans against themselves.these convicted criminals in uniform (convicted by fellow criminals in uniform!!nollywood could not have come up with a better story line!!)are only atoning for the sins the evil and criminal enterprise they work for has been commiting against niger deltans.THIS IS JUSTICE FROM ON HIGH!!
Posted by: Airlord , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Heeee.what a stupid,shameful and disgraceful country.How I wish the soldiers in barracks will execute the deciding judge immediately bc such can happen to any oneday.There is nothing that is not possible in Nigeria.What a wicked and dark reward.USA recruiting people around the world in their ARMY absolutely taking care of them.Here thwardted fellow punishing our prode men and women.What on earth can lead to such punihment.ANYWAY LET SEE WHAT THE PRESIDENT WILL ABOUT THIS. HEEEE YA,HEEE YA, HEEE
Posted by: Dominic peter , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* They should have gotten a eternal injunction like the GREAT ODILI of Rivers State. Those criminals stole their money and now want to kill them.
Posted by: James Abam , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* It is funny that in Nigerian Military corruption is welcomed .One that alerted the public of corruption was sentenced to life while the one who actually committed the crime got demotion. God is watching, Hope they are not bringing ruin to themselves and Family.
Posted by: kennedy , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Haba, this is disgraceful and just too harsh to these young soldiers. The end shall surely justify the means. I prophecy now that the power in blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shall set these young soldiers free in no distant future. This is a sad and sober moment for all mothers and fathers in this country. Sad indeed. Darkness if taking over the light.
Posted by: Usman Abdul-Azeez Adegoke , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* what a useless country. i was shocked after reading this story. Is this the best way to reward these people for serving their country? I cant believe this.The UK government is busy making efforts to raise enough money that would serve as compensation to their wounded soldiers and here we are sentencing our own soldiers to life imprisonment. This is silly.
Posted by: Chukwuma Edozie , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* THIS IS UNFAIR I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OUR PEOPLE IN NIGERIA CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE THE BEST.THIS WAS DUETO THE FACT IT IS ONLY IN NIGERIA THAT YOU WILL SERVE GOVERNMENT AND AT THE END OF THE DAY NOTHING TO RECIPROCATE THE GESTURE FOR YOU,NO WONDER PEOLPLE PREFER TO STAY AWAY FROM THE COUNTRY.IT IS A FACT THAT ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO ALLOWANWANCES.WHAT IS DELAYING IT THAT MUST BE THE QUESTION OF THE LAWYER NOT LIFE IN JAIL.KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Posted by: IKENNA JANE , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is over the top! Banana country. Is this how you toy with the lives of soldiers who put their lives in harm’s way to protect Nigeria? Probably this is also to tell civil society that Yar´Dua would become the real Frankenstein monster and met civil society with all nastiness if they embark on strike any day. Yar´Dua is trying seriously to cower the populace by this ruling. Life for what! And heavily corrupt politicians are having field day! This system can’t sustain itself. I’ll broke down
Posted by: S. Njokede , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* WONDER SHALL NEVER END AND IT IS ONLY IN NIGERIA U SEE SUCH THINGS. HOW CAN U SENTENCE PATRIOTIC SOLDIERS THAT WENT TO LIBERIA FOR PEACE KEEPING, THIS ARE THE ONCE AMERICA DON'T PLAY WITH. AT THE SAME TIME THIS SAME SOLDIERS WERE SHORT CHANGED IN SALARY AND U SENTENCE THEM FOR LIFE IMPRISONMENT ?. ONLY GOD GO BAPTISE UNA FOR ALL THE WRONGS AND SHAME OUR LEADERS AND THOSE IN CHARGE OF ALL LEVEL OF AFFAIR IN THE COUNTRY HAS PUT US THROUGH. I JUST DEY SHAME FOR THIS COUNTRY.
Posted by: OTIS RAWL , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* all this kangaroo judges will never no peace for thr rest of their life.how can you owe and even paid their money to another person and still sent them to jail because they ask for their money. this are the people who risk their life to fight for the name of the country,yet they were not be hpardon. injustice will never allow nigeria to grow.what do they want them to eat when their entitlement were not paid,who will take care of their family now? i no God in heaven will judge.
Posted by: charles babalola , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is the consequence of unchecked corruption in the army! If the Nigerian soldiers can no longer be paid there entitlement timely but sent to jail for asking to be paid same then we are getting to the catastrophic point. We will continue to drift toward that catastrophic point unless there is a cleansing social revolution to get things working right. The jailed officers should have used their gun right away on the people holding their entitlement. Military protest shuldn't be civil at all.
Posted by: Ujams , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is the consequence of unchecked corruption in the army! If the Nigerian soldier can no longer be paid there entitlement time but sent to jail for asking to be paid same then we are getting to the catastrophic point. We will continue to drift toward that catastrophic point unless there is a cleansing social revolution to get things working right. The jailed officers should have used their gun right away on the people holding entitlement. Military protest shuldn't be civil at all.
Posted by: Ujams , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is complete bullshit. Woe betide the presiding judge. After the top military brass stole this soldiers money, then you want to sentence them to life jail. Bunch of Nonentities in power. The whole world will know about this, and the stupidity of u idiots.
Posted by: Wale Adeleye , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* na wa for this home video called naiija. what's on the next episode?? some juniour forces agitating for for a coup?
Posted by: concritic , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Fact is that discipline in the Army is not negotiable. If you dont like it, you leave and join the civil service- PERIOD. I feel sorry for these guys, but they knew fully well what they were getting themselves into. I pray it is commuted to dishonorable discharge though,
Posted by: Gee , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* This is unconcionable the justice handed down on the innocent soldiers after helping in the course of restoration of peace.They must appeal the sentence through UN PEACE-kEEPING FORCE they all represent .People protesting for non-payment of their wages-this is really unfair,they must appeal the sentence.What a blind eye judgement!
Posted by: abimbola kumapayi , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Don't bother. If you, a civilian, run into the convicts on the street while they are in uniform, they don't mind treating you far worse than what they are getting. Remember Uzoma. These people have no regard for civilised conduct. As a soldier and minister of Communications under IBB, the current senate president, David Mark, said telephone was not for the poor.
Posted by: Olukayode Anigilaje , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* this is unfortunate
Posted by: crespo , on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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* Well the defense lawyer rightly called a charade. This is just wasting peoples' time and money. The idiotic army tribunal should even be tried for coming up with such judgement. Nigeria keeps going backward in everything, Barbadash!
Posted by: Ejikeme Nwagboso , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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* IS THIS AN ARMY HEADED BY A SO CLLED PHD HOLDER,I DONT KNOW HOW HE GOT HIS SO CALLED PHD.THESE OFFICERS(GEN) ARE ILLITRATES WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE HALF BAKED EDUCATED OFFICERS,THEY DONT THINK RIGHT,HOW CAN U GIVE D MAJOR CRIMINALS LIGHT PUNISHMENT WHILE THOSE WHO WERE OPPRESSED ARE GIVEN MAX,I VE SAID IT IN MY PAST COMMENTS,SO ITS NOT NEW TO ME.IF TRULY THE ARMY HAVE A WAY OF DOING THEIR THING,DOES IT MEAN THAT AN OFFICERS CAN NATCH SOLDIERS WIFE & THE SOLDIERS WILL STILL GO TO JAIL FOR IT NAWAO
Posted by: OGBENI NAIJA , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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* This judgement is to harsh. what type of judgment is this? I don't know much about the procedure to help those soldiers have their life back. I thought the worst case they will be release from Nigeria Army without their allowance. I wish Akeredolu can talk about this instead of Ekiti election
Posted by: LASTP , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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* WHAT HOPELESS,USELESS & WORTHLESS ENTITY CALLED NIGERIAN ARMY,ROBBED THE SOLDIERS OF THEIR RIGHT AND CONVICTED THEM.THE WRATH OF GOD WILL DEFINATELY COME UPON ALL THE NIGERIAN OF OFFICERS WHO CAUSED,PROSECUTED,TRIED & JAILED THESE SOLDIERS FOR PROTESTING FOR THEIR RIGHT.YOUR FOURTH GENERATION TO COME WILL EVER SURFER WORST THAN WHAT YOU HAVE MADE THESE SOLDIERS TO SURFER.ARE THESE OFFICERS RIGHTEOUS? MALU DESTROYED SOLDIERS IN LIBERIA BUT WHERE IS HE TODAY HALF ALIVE HALF DIED .YOU WILL SURFER
Posted by: OGBENI NAIJA , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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* true individuals who would have this country at heart would help give Nigeria a forcus. This judgement is really going to demoralize the rank and file of the army and it is dangerous for a lawless country like Nigeria.May nemesis come soon.
Posted by: Akin Jacobs , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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* It is true that the army has its own laws and all under her must be seen to be subject to it, but this case is a slap on the face of that law. The dimension it has taken is very unfortunate because it implies that the long practice of dening individuals justice even for those that have served their father land at every capacity only concretize the assumption of Nigeria as a jungle, a failed state leaving on borrowed time. I pray for the families of the soildiers and look forward to someday when
Posted by: Akin Jacobs , on Monday, April 27, 2009
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