It appears the trial of some Nigerian soldiers who
allegedly deserted counter-terrorism operations in the troubled north
eastern region of the country has been suspended.
In a document dated January 21, 2015, and leaked to Sahara Reporters today, the Nigerian army announced that the soldiers’ trial had been suspended, which means legal proceedings against these soldiers will be held after the 2015 general elections.
This decision to suspend the trial was attributed to “security reasons.”
It will be recalled that, at the beginning of the year, some soldiers
were dismissed by the military authorities illegally for allegedly
disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer.
It was revealed that some soldiers awaiting court martial trial in Jos, Plateau State, were reportedly re-posted to their respective former barracks for dismissal. Report had it that the
instruction came directly from the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah.
Later, about 227 members of the Nigerian Army serving with the 3rd Armoured Division in Jos, were said to have protested their dismissal, asking for the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The court martial saga started in October when about 2,000
soldiers from 213 battalion and 234 battalion, Army headquarters Team A
and Task Force Mike, sent for anti Boko Haram operations, allegedly
disobeyed orders to fight.
97 soldiers, including 15 senior officers, were tried for various offences allegedly committed in the counter-terrorism operation in the North-Eastern part of the country.
In December 54 soldiers found guilty of mutiny were sentenced to death.
This was trailed with a lot of controversies as some people the likes of Ishola Williams, a retired army general, , criticized the decision.
In a document dated January 21, 2015, and leaked to Sahara Reporters today, the Nigerian army announced that the soldiers’ trial had been suspended, which means legal proceedings against these soldiers will be held after the 2015 general elections.
This decision to suspend the trial was attributed to “security reasons.”
The leaked document
It was revealed that some soldiers awaiting court martial trial in Jos, Plateau State, were reportedly re-posted to their respective former barracks for dismissal. Report had it that the
instruction came directly from the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah.
Later, about 227 members of the Nigerian Army serving with the 3rd Armoured Division in Jos, were said to have protested their dismissal, asking for the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The soldiers on trial
97 soldiers, including 15 senior officers, were tried for various offences allegedly committed in the counter-terrorism operation in the North-Eastern part of the country.
In December 54 soldiers found guilty of mutiny were sentenced to death.
This was trailed with a lot of controversies as some people the likes of Ishola Williams, a retired army general, , criticized the decision.
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