The Nigerian Army, Monday, began the court-martial of 14 soldiers
serving in Special Task Forces in Maiduguri, Jos and Bauchi for alleged
misconduct.
The accused included two Colonels, a Master Warrant Officer, seven
Lance Corporals and four Privates.
The GOC, 3 Armoured Division, Maj. Gen Jack Nwaogbo, while
inaugurating the court at the 3 Armoured Division in Jos, said the trial was to
determine the culpability of the accused in the charges brought against them.
COURT-MATIALLED: A cross section of accused officers of the
Special Task Force and Operation Save Heaven, at the inauguration of General
Court Martial At 3 Division Headquarters, in Jos, Monday. Photo: NAN.
He said: “Court-martial is one of the procedures in the Armed
Forces to right some of the perceived wrong-doings by either officers or
soldiers who may have erred or allegedly erred in the course of performing
their duties.
“This court-martial is meant to try alleged offences committed by
officers and soldiers serving in 3 Armoured Division, the Special Task Forces
in Plateau and Bauchi, and the Joint Special Task Force in Maiduguri.”
Nwaogbo explained that the 3 Division was the only location in the
North authorised to set up such court to try erring personnel.
The GOC urged members of the public to always report cases of
abuses and misconduct by military personnel, pointing out that such reports
would help the authorities enforce discipline and the rights of victims.
According to him,“for now, all of them (accused) are presumed
innocent until proven otherwise by the court; it is not my duty to pronounce
any one of them guilty for now.
“That is why in line with my responsibility as the GOC, and also
in line with the Armed Forces Act CAP A-20 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, I
have set up this court to look into these cases and to adjudicate as
appropriate.”
Nwaogbo charged the defence counsel to look into the charges
preferred against their clients to ensure that justice was done, while also
urging the prosecuting counsel to cooperate with the court.
Earlier, Lt. Col. Stephen Andow, General Staff Officer, 3
Division, explained that the offences levelled against the accused were beyond
the powers of their various commanders.
The President of the six-man court, Brig-Gen. Adamoh Salihu,
pledged to be fair and just in the discharge of their duties.
NAN reports that details of the charges were not given.
One of the defence counsel, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
however, said the accused were facing a two-count charge of negligence in the
performance of military duties and miscellaneous offences relating to service
property.
The offences are punishable under sections 62 (b) and 58 of the
Armed Forces Act CAP A-20.