A General Court Martial (GCM) convened at the Headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu has handed down severe sentences to two soldiers found guilty of separate serious offences.
Private Adamu Mohammed was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, while Private Abubakar Yusuf was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery.
The verdicts were announced in a statement issued by Lt Col Jonah Unuakhalu, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division.
According to the statement, the sentences were the result of due consideration for the charges of murder and robbery brought against the soldiers during their trials.
The GCM, comprising eleven members, was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye. Its mandate was to adjudicate on cases involving erring personnel within the Division for offences that could not be resolved through summary proceedings.
The President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, delivered the judgement for the first accused, Private Adamu Mohammed (Service Number: 21NA/80/6365).
Brigadier General Buhari stated that the martial court found Private Mohammed guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, an offence punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004.
He explained that the unanimous judgement was reached after a thorough review of the evidence presented before the GCM, the soldier’s career and service record, and the pleas for mitigation made by the accused and his legal counsel.
However, the President of the GCM emphasized that in the interest of societal decorum and ensuring justice for the deceased, the full force of the law had to be applied.
“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,” Brigadier General Sadisu declared.
In a separate case, the same General Court Martial also delivered its verdict on Private Abubakar Yusuf (Service Number: 23NA/85/12116), sentencing him to 10 years’ imprisonment for robbery at a mall located within Enugu.
Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, presiding over this case as well, stated that the panel found Private Yusuf guilty of robbery, an offence punishable under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004.
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The President of the GCM noted that while the court carefully considered the pleas for leniency made by the accused and his counsel, the law had to be applied to uphold societal decorum and safeguard the reputation of the Nigerian Army.
However, due to the GCM’s inability to reach a unanimous decision required for the maximum mandatory punishment under Section 107(2) of the Armed Forces Act, the martial court, relying on Section 140(3) of the same Act, sentenced Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment.
Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari stressed that the findings and sentences pronounced for both soldiers are subject to confirmation by the confirming authority, marking the conclusion of their respective trials within the GCM.
The Nigerian Army, through the statement, reassured the general public of its unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct in the execution of its duties.
The Army emphasized that the misconduct of a few individuals does not reflect the core values of the institution and affirmed that swift and decisive measures will always be taken to ensure accountability and justice.
The Army remains committed to upholding discipline within its ranks, safeguarding the integrity of its operations, and fostering trust and confidence among the populace it serves.