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