The Osby Blog : Army Sentences 54 Soldiers To Death Over Mutiny: The Nigerian Army, yesterday sentenced 54 soldiers to death after they were convicted on a two count charge of criminal conspir...
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Army Sentences 54 Soldiers To Death Over Mutiny
According to the charge sheet, the soldiers conspired to commit mutiny against the authorities of the Army 7 Division where they were attached on August 4 at the Mulai Primary School Camp, opposite AIT Maiduguri, Borno State.
The convicted soldiers who were mostly officers involved in the on- going fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, were sentenced to death by firing squad. The soldiers include two Corporals, Cpl, nine Lance Corporals, LCpl and 49 Private soldiers.
The trial of the soldiers began on October 15 on the allegations they disobeyed orders to join operations against Boko Haram. But the soldiers pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Army Captain J.E. Nwosu, alleged that the accused soldiers had on August 4, in Maiduguri, refused to join the 111 Special Forces Battalion troops, commanded by Lt Col. Timothy Opurum, for an operation.
Nwosu added the operation was meant to recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State from the Boko Haram terrorists. According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 52(1) (a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecution called the commander of the 111 Special Forces, Lt.-Col. Opurum, as one of the witnesses.
The statement of the commander was admitted by the court and marked Exhibit P1.
In his testimony in October, Opurum said soldiers Were tasked with advancing to recapture Delwa to clear the way for other battalions to pass through to recapture Babulin and Damboa from the insurgents.
He said he took off for the operation with only four officers and 29 soldiers as “tasked” after majority of the 174 soldiers in the unit refused to join the operation.
Opurum further said after he took charge of the Special Forces, he addressed and assured them that they could achieve the task given to them. He, however, said the soldiers were “hesitant to partake in the operation” in spite of the assurances.
Under cross- examination by lawyer to the accused, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Opurum said 47 of the soldiers who initially refused, later re-joined the forces for another operation.
Opurum said the 47 soldiers joined after he called for reinforcement as they came under attack from terrorists, who out-numbered them and had superior weapons.
Asked if the soldiers refused to fight or refused to join the operation because of lack of superior weapons, he said all units in the North-East had requested for weapons.
On the disciplinary measure taken against the 47 soldiers, who initially refused, he said the process for that was to begin when they were court-martialled.
But Falana I had in an oral application, asked to the court for the record of weapons recovered from the 47 soldiers, when they initially refused to join the operations.
The President of the Court, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yusuf, said the application had been noted “for action.”
The General Court Martial was inaugurated on October 2 to try 97 soldiers, including 15 senior officers for mutiny.
Monday, December 1, 2014
How Uduaghan’s loyalists sweep Delta Assembly tickets
Governor UduaghanLoyalists and appointees of Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, were last Saturday declared winners of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Assembly primary election in 21 out of the 29 state constituencies, as some aggrieved aspirants vowed to challenge the outcome of the exercise.
It was reported that the exercise however did not begin until late Saturday evening against the earlier slated time.
Those who emerged winners in the governor’s camp are: Angela Nwaka, Aniocha South; Uzoma Idabor, Aniocha North; Isaac Ulebor, Ika South, Tim Owhefere, Isoko North; Orezi Esievo, Isoko South I; Johnson Erijo, Isoko South II; Peter Onwusanya, Oshimili South; Pat Ajudua, Oshimili North; Erhiatake Ibori, Ethiope West; Izeze Rume Reuben, Ughelli South; Samuel Mariere, Ughelli North; Prince Eric Oharisi, Ughelli North II; Arthur Akpowowo, Ethiope East and Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Okpe.
Others are Efe Ofobruku, Uvwie; Godwin Toristseju Abigor, Warri South I; Denis Omovie, Warri South II; Daniel Mayuku, Warri South Wes; Dan Yingi, Burutu I; Jude Sinebe, Burutu II; Monday Igbuya, Sapele; Azuka Azaka, Ndokwa West; Alphonsus Ojo, Ukwuani and Pius Labo, Bomadi.
Okowa’s supporters clinched Ika North East and Warri North with Tony Elekeokwuri and Michael Diden respectively, while Elumelu’s campaign manager, Moses Odibo won in Udu with Obielum taking Ndokwa East as Friday Osanebi picked the ticket.
Other gubernatorial aspirants defeated in their various state constituencies include: Victor Ochie, Sylvester Monye and Elumelu.
It was gathered that some of the aspirants are already negotiating with the Obuh camp with the possibility of stepping down for him in the forthcoming primary.
The outcome of the election spurred wild celebration in the camp of one of the prominent gubernatorial aspirants, Tony Obuh, believed to be enjoying Uduaghan’s support.
However, it was reliably gathered that some aggrieved aspirants who lost in the weekend’s PDP primary, were already making moves to join forces with the opposition parties to test their popularity at the 2015 general elections.
One of the embittered aspirants confided in National Mirror that the development is true following the manner they were arm twisted to step down for aspirants believed to have been endorsed by the governor.
Gunmen attack Damaturu, Yobe state capital
Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, came under heavy attack by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect this morning.
Yobe State University located in Damaturu was one of the first places to come under attack .
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen attacked the town as early as 4am, and exchanged fire with operatives of the Police Mobile Unit.
“A military jet was deployed to push the insurgents back and the situation is now under control. The entire town has been cordoned off,” a source added.
Though casualty figure is not known, residents of the town were reported to be running in different directions, for safety
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