Sixty-six soldiers sentenced to death by firing squad
Sixty-six soldiers who were sentenced to death by firing squad in January and March 2015 by separate General Court Martials, have been commuted to 10 years imprisonment each.
It will be recalled that 71 soldiers were arraigned on several charges in joint trials.The soldiers were arraigned on several count charges that include criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny, attempt to commit an Offence (murder), disobedience to particular orders, insubordinate behaviour and false accusation, amongst others.
They were tried, discharged on some charges but found guilty and convicted on other charges which included mutiny. Out of the number, 66 were found guilty on some of the count charges and sentenced to death, while 5 were discharged and acquitted and 1 was given 28 days imprisonment with hard labour (IHL).
However, following series of petitions, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, ordered a legal review of the cases.
The directive was carried out to examine the merit of each case. It was on the basis of the review and recommendations that the Chief of Army Staff commuted the death sentences of the 66 soldiers to 10 years jail term.
Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman informs that the sentences are to run concurrently, even as the cases of other soldiers are being reviewed.
In a communique, Col Usman noted that the public will not be kept in the dark, as updates will be disseminated once the appropriate reviews are completed.
It will be recalled that over 4,000 Nigerian soldiers were allegedly dismissed for disobeying orders to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
The men were accused of flouting orders to fight terrorists during counter- insurgency operations code named Operation Zaman Lafiya conducted in Mubi, Adamawa state, in 2014.
However, in August, a review panel was set up and the findings of the panel led to the reinstatement of over 2,500 soldiers who were asked to withdraw from service.
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