Army dismisses soldier for rape in Borno

Date:

Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army court martial of Operation Lafiya Dole; has dismissed Flt-Lt. Martins Ewerem from service for raping and assaulting Zara Ali. Zara, a 14-year girl, was allegedly raped at the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Maiduguri. Court Marshal President, Maj-Gen. Yakubu Auta in his judgement Tuesday at Officers’ Mess, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri said: “This Court has found Ewerem with NAF No. 97701 as follows; the accused has been dismissed for being found guilty of count charge one. “The court has however; discharged and acquitted the accused for count charge two. But the accused has been sentenced to reduce in rank and loss of seniority for three years for found guilty of count three charges.” Maj-Gen. Auta said that the judgement of Court Marshal; is however; subject to confirmation of higher military authority in line with 1999 Constitution. “Having listened to testimonies of the witnesses and evidence of the medical worker, Mulikat Kareem, the court has found the accused guilty as testified by the accused in his personal testimony that he flogged the victim. “He also inserted his hand into her vagina, as well as medical record brought to the court,” he said. While summarizing the defense and prosecuting witnesses, the Court Marshal Judge Advocate, Capt. Aminu Mairuwa said: “The accused that defiled a 14 year IDP on September 29, 2018, was facing three-count charges of defiling, assault and disobedience of standing order.” “The accused that was on a special patrol in Dalwa unit was said to have seen the victim, Zara Ali and her friends, who went to fetch firewood. “On sighting them; he ordered his soldiers to arrest them, accusing them of being suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers, and asked them to lie down, despite, not finding anything incriminating. “He dragged the victim into the bush and insert his hands in her vagina where his eventuality defiled and assaulted the victim.” The defence Counsel, Abbas Alhaji while pleading with the court said: “I urge the court to temper justice with mercy, as going by the records of the accused he was a first offender, his contributions to Nigerian Armed Forces and having family and dependents; I urge the court to temper justice with mercy.” It was learnt that Zara was allegedly last September, when they went to fetch firewood for their families.

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