The
3 Armored Division of the Nigerian Army is to court martial 17 members
of the Joint Task Force (Operation Restore Order) and Special Task Force
(Operation Safe Haven) for murder and cowardly behaviuor.
This was disclosed yesterday by the General Officer Commanding 3
Armored Division, Maj-Gen. Ebiobowei Awala, during the inauguration of
the court martial held at the 3 Division Rhino Officers Mess Maxwell
Khobe Cantonment, Jos. Maj-Gen. Awala said: “ “The offences include
communication with the enemy, cowardly behaviuor, murder and
manslaughter, among others.
“The court martial is one of those instruments conferred on me by
virtue of the Armed Forces Act Chapter A20 Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria to address problems like this.”
He said it is with heavy heart that he is convening the court
martial, barely four months after he assumed duty as GOC of the
division. Maj-Gen. Awala said: “I must state that if the Division is
witnessing this court martial, it is because I want to sustain high
level of professionalism required to confront the mounting security
challenges in the Division.
“I therefore enjoin all parties to this court martial to discharge
their duties expeditiously and with a degree of commitment that will
ensure the accused persons know their fate in good time. To be
effective, however, the legal system must be fair and just.
“Discipline is the foundation on which the military career rests. As a
matter of fact, discipline and loyalty are two essential requirements
no officer or soldier who wants to succeed in professional soldiering
can afford to lack.”
The GOC urged them to give due consideration to first-time offenders
and those who plead guilty, saying: “While bearing in mind the gravity
of the offence, justice must be seen to be done”.
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