The 3 Division Nigerian Army at Rukuba Barracks, near Jos, has inaugurated a General Court Martial to try an erring officer and 16 soldiers
At the inauguration ceremony, General Officer Commanding Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who also serves as the Commander of Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) appointed a military legal panel team to form the General Court Martial
Brig.- Gen. Liafis Bello, the President of the Court Martial 3 Division, emphasized the importance of discipline in the military, stating that it is essential for success in a military career.
He said that any officer who wanted to succeed in the military should be disciplined and loyal, adding that these are two essential requirements an officer should not lack.
Bello said: “Discipline is the foundation on which the military career rests; as a matter of fact, discipline and loyalty are two essential requirements no officer or soldier, who wants to succeed in professional soldiering, can afford to lack.
“It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates.
“When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures must be taken by commanders to forestall future occurrences.
“This way, the Nigerian Army can continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its accolade as the pride of the Nigerian nation”, he said.
Bello said that the need for the court martial became necessary so as to ensure that the high level of professionalism required to confront the lingering security challenges was sustained.
He enjoined members of the panel to discharge their duties expeditiously and with high degree of commitment, so as to enable the accused persons ascertain their fate in time.
According to him: “Justice is a three-way traffic that involves the accused, the Nigerian army and the State, hence the need for fairness and equity.
“I want to implore this general court martial to ensure that no effort is spared to achieve this three way traffic of the justice system.
“Where a person is convicted of an offense, a sentence ought to be passed. Such sentences must be humanely meted out.
“Punishment is among the means available for the maintenance of discipline in the Nigerian Army; as such the kind and amount of punishment should be adequate enough to achieve its purpose and serve as deterrence to others”.
On his part, the Judge Advocate, Maj.-Gen. Nasir Abdullahi who administers the oat informed that the GOC approved the setting up of the Court Martial on February 6, 2024.
Also speaking, the 3 Division Prosecutor, Acting Deputy Director, Legal Services, Maj. Aminu Mairuwa said the offenses charged ranged from murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of arms and ammunitions, selling of arms and ammunitions and other offenses in the course of operation.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Izang Aware, represented by his colleague Barr. Samson Gotom, commended the inauguration of the panel, expressing confidence that justice will be served.
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