Army to court-martial 158 personnel over ‘misconduct’

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a court martial for the trial of 158 military personnel over alleged professional misconduct.

A court martial is a judicial court for trying members of the armed forces accused of offences against military law.

According to NAN, the personnel comprise 28 officers and 130 soldiers.

Inaugurating the military court on Saturday at the Maimalari cantonment in Borno, Christopher Musa, the theatre commander of operation Hadin Kai, a joint task force, said the military must enforce internal discipline effectively in accordance with extant laws.

He said the enforcement of discipline is to ensure professionalism in the armed forces.

Musa said the safety and well-being of Nigerians depend considerably on the willingness of members of the armed forces to defend the nation against threats to national security.

He explained that court martial trials are regimental and judicial exercises, which may review, reduce or remove the rights and privileges of convicted service personnel.

He added that the court martial is unique to the military, and its trials are backed by the Armed Forces Act.

Musa added that such courts deal only with matters pertaining directly to regimentation, discipline, efficiency and morale of military personnel.

Members of the court martial panel include: Bainze Mohammed, Dominic Udofa, Audu Satomi, and Rotimi Bakari.