Inaugurating the court martial yesterday at 3 Armored Division of the Nigeria Army, Rukuba, Bassa LGA of the state, Commander OPSH, Major General Tagbo Ude, said the offences the accused persons are being tried ranged from manslaughter, offences in relation to public and service property, as well as conduct to prejudice of military discipline.
According to him, all the offenses are punishable under Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
“It is a well known fact that discipline is the bedrock of the Nigerian military, hence the powers conferred on me by the virtues of section 131 Armed Forces Act to convene this General Court Martial, to try the said accused persons.’’
He explained that the court martial is only one of the apparatus put in place by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to discipline its erring personnel.
‘‘Its establishment is predicated on the fact that the Armed Forces of Nigeria holds its personnel in high esteem, hence its resolve that a thorough investigation be conducted before any suspect can be put on trial.
“Let me at this juncture assure all of us that justice will not only be done on this entire trial, but will see to have been done.
“This is not only because the case against each accused was thoroughly investigated, to ensure that an innocent person is not wrongly accused, as I pointed out earlier, but for the fact that my command has painstakingly selected credible officers from various services of the Armed Forces, who are well knowledgeable of military law”, Ude stressed.
He urged members of the court martial to be “just and fair” in the conduct of the trial, by ensuring that each accused person is given a fair trial.
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