In is determination to enforce discipline within the North East theatre of operation, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole has inaugurated two special Court Martials’ to trail 6 officers and 14 other ranks whose actions breached Army laws.
Inaugurating the courts at the Maimalari cantoment on Friday, Major General, Adeniyi said “It I’s worrisome to observe the increasing cases of negligence, lackadaisical and cowardly activities of many of our personnel during Boko Haram terrorists’ offensive actions across the theater today.
“These unprofessional and disgraceful habits have led to the death of many of our gallant colleagues and these attitudes must not be allowed to continue, if we must retain our national prude”.
He said ” the reason for the two Court Martial was to fast track the trail of the accused, as justice delayed is justice denied.
General Adeniyi said, ” Breaches of military discipline must be dealt with speed and frequently punished more severely than would be the case if civilian is engaged in such a conduct.
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“Be that as it may, the military has its code of service discipline to allow it meet it’s perculiar disciplinary needs, therefore recourse to the ordinary criminal court would as a general rule, be inadequate to serve the disciplinary needs of the military”.
” As we all know the Court martial trail is a regimental and judicial exercise that may review, reduce or remove the right and privileges of any convicted service personnel.
“It is unique to the military and a tributary of criminal trail that flows in the sea of Nigerian criminal justices system”.
He therefore stressed that conduct of military trails under Armed Forces is to allow the Armed forces to deal with matters that pertains directly to the discipline, efficiency, morale of the military, adding that the safety and well being of Nigerians depends considerably on the willingness and readiness of a force of men and women to defend against threats.
General Adeniyi further said that ” To maintain the Armed Forces in a state of readiness, the military must be in a position to enforce internal discipline effectively and efficiently”.
Assuring the accused of fair hearing, the theater Commander said ” May I conclude by the remarks of Late Justices Oputa of blessed memory that justice is not one way traffic, it is not for the accused only.
Justice is not even only two way traffic, it is really three way traffic, Justice for accused of heinous crime of murder, justice for the victim whose blood is crying out for vengeance and finally justice for the society at large”
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