By Ken Stanley

A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu has sentenced a soldier, Private Adamu Mohammed, to death by hanging and another, Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10-years imprisonment.

The acting Deputy Director 82 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday, said that the sentences were handed down after due consideration for the offences of murder and robbery for which the soldiers stood trial.

It would be recalled that the GCM, composed of 11 members, was inaugurated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, on Feb. 18, 2025. The GCM was set-up to try erring personnel within the Division for various offences, which could not be disposed off summarily.

The President of the GCM, Brig.- Gen. Sadisu Buhari, while delivering the judgment on the first accused, Private Adamu Mohammed, stated that he was found guilty of the offence of the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali.

Buhari said that it is an offence punishable under Section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004. The judgement, which was unanimous, the President of the GCM explained, was arrived at after careful review of facts, career and service record of the soldier, and the compassionate plea for mitigation presented by the accused and his counsel.

However, the President of the GCM noted, that in the interest of societal decorum and justice for the deceased, the law had to be applied to its fullest.

“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder”,

Brig.-Gen. Buhari said. Relatedly, the General Court Martial equally sentenced another soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment for robbery at a mall within Enugu. The President of the GCM stated that the panel found Private Yusuf guilty of robbery, punishable under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004.

“Although the court attentively considered the plea in mitigation presented by the accused and his counsel for leniency, the law was applied to uphold societal decorum and protect the reputation of the army. “However, due to inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose maximum mandatory punishment prescribed under Section 107(2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004, the GCM, relying on provisions of Section 140 (3) of the Armed Forces Act.

“The General Court Martial, hereby, sentences the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment,” Brig.-Gen. Buhari said. The President of the GCM emphasised that the findings and sentences pronounced for both soldiers remain subject to confirmation by the confirming authority, marking the conclusion of their trials.

Meanwhile, the Army spokesman said that the “NIgerian Army reassures the general public of its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct in the discharge of its duties.”

According to him, the wrong actions of a few do not reflect the values of the institution, as swift and decisive measures are always taken to ensure accountability and justice. “The Army remains dedicated to maintaining discipline within its ranks, protecting the integrity of its operations as well as fostering trust and confidence among the people it serves,” he added.