Court martial: 59 soldiers deny mutiny charge

Fifty-nine soldiers facing trial at the at the general court martial taking place at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny .

Sixty soldiers were initially meant to be arraigned, but one of the soldiers was reported sick.

Reading the charges to the accused, Ukpe Ukpe, the judge advocate and a lieutenant colonel, noted that the soldiers committed the offences against the 7th division of the Nigeria army on August 4, 2014.

Opening the case, the prosecuting counsel, J A Nwosu, a captain, said he was determined to prove that the accused soldiers were guilty with “compelling evidence”.

He called a witness, Timothy Oporum, a lieutenant colonel, against whom the accused soldiers allegedly mutinied.

Oporum said the accused had refused to participate in an operation to dislodge insurgents from a stronghold in Borno, resulting in the loss of some soldiers.

“The location was attacked by insurgents who had superior firepower and number. And we lost some men,” he said.

“We also lost some equipment as well: one general purpose machine gun, four AK47 rifles and one vehicle.”

In response, the defence counsel led by Femi Falana remarked: “This is the largest number of soldiers to be put on trial for mutiny and we are going to convince your lordship that they are not guilty of the offences.”

Crossing examining Oporum, the defence counsel moved to confirm if the soldiers who mutinied were actually in the battalion that he commanded.

The argument that ensued ended without actual confirmation.

Falana sought to unravel if the soldiers truly refused to obey orders from a superior officer or simply asked for superior weapons to combat the insurgents.

Oporum answered that the accused simply refused to obey orders.

Soldiers charged with mutiny are Andrew Ogolekwu, Saturday Ife, Henry Shaibu, James Maifada, Ndubisi Sabestine, Dauda Dalhatu, Kasega Aoso, Mallam Jacob, Nwonu Friday, Joshua Friday, Anthony Simeon, Olayode Oluwasegun, Tijani Jimoh, Kabiru Abubakar, Mamuda Sywasan, James Emmanuel, and Mukaila Musa.

Others are Magaji Ahmadu, Amao Bukola, Wuyep John, Oti Kelvin, Ameh Mathew, Olaitan Joseph, Kulukulu Endurance, Usman Isaac, Ocheje Williams, Adila Dangana, Sudan Hannania, Sunday Godwin, Datti Hassan, Abubakar Garba, Joseph Dauda, Chiemela Azubuike, Abubakar Mohammed, Anagu Mark, Danbaba Francis, and Oton Asuabiat.

The list is completed by Nwachukwu Udo, Ibrahim Saliu, Abafe Sylvester, Eze Isaac, Abubakar Mohammed, Samuel Michael, Ishaya Musa, Ogar Douglas, Etim Peter, Hermas Okpe, Ahunanya Temple, Eyaknse Uwah, Ilesanmi Seun, Solomon Ishaku, Nasiru Zubairu, Audu Daniel, Buaz Lucky, Muhammed Abubakar, Anas Awalu, Babangida Jamilu, Hashimu Ibrahim, Mohammed Suleiman and Shehu Sa’adu.

Statement of offence: Mutiny contrary to and punishable under Section 52 (1)(a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Particulars of offence: In that you, at Mulai primary school camp, opposite African Independent Television Maiduguri on or about August 4 refused to join 111 special forces battalion troops commanded by TM Opurum, lieutenant colonel, for an advance operation to recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno state from Boko Haram.

The court martial continues on Thursday, October 16, 2014.