Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army has inaugurated two special Court Martial to try officers and soldiers in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Northeast. Inaugurating Courts members on Friday at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi said the conduct of military trials under Armed Forces is to deal with matters on discipline, efficiency and morale of military. According to him, court-martial trial, is a regimented and judicial exercise that may review, reduce or remove the rights and privileges of any convicted service personnel.
“This is a tributary of criminal trial that flows into the sea of Nigerian criminal justice system,” he said, Therefore, he said that the conduct of military trials under the Armed Forces; was to deal with matters pertaining military morale. He said the safety and well-being of citizens largely depends on readiness of troops to defend against threats to nation’s security. The military, according to him, must be in a position to enforce internal discipline effectively and efficiently. “Breaches of military discipline must be dealt with speedily and punished more severely than would be the case; if a civilian is engaged in such a conduct,” he warned. He said recourse to the ordinary criminal courts, is inadequate to serve the disciplinary needs of the military.
He said emphasis should be laid on a fine blend of traditional military regimentation to fair hearing requirements of 1999 Constitution, as amended. While lamenting on negligence, Adeniyi said: “It is worrisome to observe the increasing cases of negligence, lackadaisical and cowardly attitudes of many personnel, during Boko Haram offensives across the theatre. “These unprofessional and disgraceful habits have led to the death of many of our gallant colleagues. These attitudes must not be allowed to continue,” adding that the situation must be changed.” He assured that justice must be done to the 20 officers and soldiers during their trials at special courts martial.
