Soldier jailed 7 years for manslaughter

• another bags 14 months for desertion

By OKOSUN DENNIS

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday sentenced to seven years imprisonment a serving soldier for shooting to death one Mr. Umar Alkali in Maiduguri.

The soldier, whose name and rank were not disclosed was said to have committed the act within the popularMonday Market in Maiduguri metropolis on 23 December 2015.

The General Court Marshal (GCM) of 7 Division sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, presided over by Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi, found the soldier guilty of manslaughter punishable under Section (105) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

National Daily learnt that the soldier’s plea that he acted in self-defence, that the deceased assaulted and tried to wrestle his rifle from him before he shot and killed him to save his life and that of his compatriots was set aside on the ground of use of disproportionate force.

The President of the Court, Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi while delivering the verdict gave a detailed account of all the proceedings and relevant laws that guided the court at arriving at its decision.

While dismissing the initial charge of murder levelled against the soldier, the GCM upheld the charge of manslaughter.

It was also gathered that another soldier (name withheld) was also found guilty of one count charge of desertion punishable under section 60 of the Act.

He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment. 

It would be recalled that the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu in August 2016 inaugurated a General Court Marshal with the mandate of dealing with matters that may arise from activities of troops within the Division’s area of responsibility and to ensure that troops work within the framework of their rules of engagement. 

While reading the rulings of the court, the President of GCM, Brigadier General Adeniyi, admonished officers and soldiers to maintain high level of discipline, respect for human rights and strict adherence to rules of engagement and other laws guiding their conducts.

He maintained that Nigerian military is known for discipline and will not tolerate any act that will bring the force into disrepute.