The Nigerian Army inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) in Enugu State to try five officers and 20 soldiers.
They face various charges, including murder, defilement, manslaughter, extortion, and assault on civilians.
The accused personnel fall under the jurisdiction of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu.
Brigadier General Buhari Sadisu launched the General Court Martial on Tuesday to address military discipline cases, reinforcing accountability standards.
Meanwhile, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye convened the tribunal through 82 Division authority, streamlining judicial processes to uphold legal protocols.
Addressing attendees, Sadisu stressed that courts martial maintain Armed Forces discipline by trying personnel under military law and imposing verdicts.
He clarified convictions trigger punishments but assured personnel receive immediate acquittal if prosecutors fail to substantiate allegations.
“The court martial will uphold the principles of natural justice and fair hearing,” Sadisu stated.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the proceedings would comply with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) along with other relevant legal frameworks and procedures.
Brigadier General Sadisu underscored the independence of the court martial, assuring that it would be free from external influence.
He also pledged that the accused personnel would be granted sufficient time and resources to prepare their defense.
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“Highlighting a core principle, the court martial upholds the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” he declared.
“Moreover, our justice system safeguards innocence, preferring 99 guilty remain free over wrongfully convicting one,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the GCM President pledged thorough, impartial evidence review during trials to guarantee fair verdicts for all parties.
“We are committed to avoiding any situation where an innocent person suffers unjustly,” he added.
The court proceedings have drawn attention from legal professionals in Enugu, with some civilian lawyers appearing to represent the accused personnel.
This development underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in its judicial processes.
By establishing this court martial, the military actively reinforces discipline and accountability within its ranks.
This action demonstrates their commitment to accountability while ensuring justice aligns with legal standards.
Furthermore, the court martial underscores institutional resolve to address misconduct decisively, fostering trust in the armed forces’ adherence to lawful procedures.
