A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging and Private Abubakar Yusuf to a 10-year prison term for separate criminal offences.
The sentences followed a trial in which both soldiers were found guilty of serious crimes, including murder and robbery. According to a statement from Lt Col Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, the GCM carefully considered the charges before delivering its verdict.
Private Adamu Mohammed was convicted for the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, in a case that shocked the division. The President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, confirmed the death sentence, stating that the soldier’s actions were in violation of Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004. The court cited the soldier’s career and service record, as well as a plea for mitigation from the defense, before determining the final sentence.
“The law must be applied to its fullest in the interest of justice and societal decorum,” General Buhari emphasized, adding that the murder charge warranted the extreme punishment of death by hanging.
In a separate case,Private Abubakar Yusuf was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbery at a shopping mall in Enugu. The court, while considering the soldier’s plea for leniency, upheld the law under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act but failed to reach a unanimous decision for a more severe sentence.
“Due to the inability to reach a unanimous verdict for the maximum punishment, the GCM imposed a sentence of 10 years imprisonment,” said General Buhari.
The GCM’s sentences are still subject to confirmation by the confirming authority before they are finalized.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to the highest standards of ethics and discipline within its ranks, stressing that the actions of a few should not reflect on the integrity of the institution. The Army assured the public that swift and decisive action would continue to be taken against any member found guilty of misconduct.
