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The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try 12 soldiers accused of various offences, including alleged murder, assault and aiding criminal activities.
The court was inaugurated on Tuesday at the headquarters of the 4 Special Forces Command in Doma, Nasarawa State, by the Commander of the formation, Maj.-Gen. Olurotimi Awolo, who was represented by the President of the General Court Martial, Col. Salihu Ibrahim.
Speaking during the inauguration, Ibrahim explained that the court was constituted in line with the powers vested in the Command under Section 131(2)(d) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He said the panel would examine all cases brought before it and determine each matter strictly on its merit, stressing that the proceedings would be guided by fairness, justice and the rule of law.
According to him, the court remains committed to the principles of natural justice and the constitutional provision that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He assured that any accused soldier against whom the prosecution fails to establish a case beyond reasonable doubt would be discharged and acquitted, while those found guilty would face sanctions prescribed by law.
The court president further urged both prosecution and defence counsels to conduct themselves professionally and avoid unnecessary delays capable of slowing down the proceedings.
He noted that the speedy and transparent determination of the cases would strengthen confidence in the military justice system and reinforce discipline within the Armed Forces.
However, the trial could not commence immediately after the inauguration as six of the accused soldiers present in court were declared medically unfit to stand trial.
The court’s Medical Orderly, Sgt. Audu Ahmadu, informed the panel that five of the affected personnel recorded elevated blood pressure levels, making it inadvisable for them to proceed with the hearing.
Following the disclosure, the prosecuting counsel, Capt. Shamsondeen Sadiq, requested that adequate medical care be provided to the affected soldiers to enable the commencement of proceedings at a later date.
Consequently, the court adjourned the matter, with a new hearing date to be communicated to all parties involved in the case.
Speaking after the inaugural sitting, defence counsel, Barr. George Illah, praised the Army authorities for setting up the court martial and expressed confidence in the competence and impartiality of the panel.
Illah stated that military personnel standing trial are entitled to all constitutional protections and legal rights guaranteed under Nigerian law, adding that the defence team would ensure those rights are fully protected throughout the proceedings.
Members of the General Court Martial include Col. A.A. Buhari, Lt.-Col. Victor Yamu, Lt.-Col. A.K. Karma, Lt.-Col. S. Abdullahi, Maj. J.M. Usendeng, Maj. A.D. Ahmed, Maj. U. Ahmed and Maj. S.L. Sagu, while Capt. U. Nna serves as Judge Advocate.
