The 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday court-martialed 14 soldiers, consisting of three officers and eleven men for kidnapping, murder, and disobedience to standing rules and conducts to prejudice the service.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, while inaugurating the General Court Martial, declared that the army would not condone indiscipline.
He said that all the offences were punishable under the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Major General Jamil said that the Headquarters of 6 Division had painstakingly selected credible officers as members of the Court Martial to ensure fair hearing and justice.
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He added that due regard was accorded to the officers having indebt knowledge of military law and outstanding experience of military duties.
He urged the members to be just and fair in the conduct of the trial as to ensure that each accused person is given a fair trial.
He said, “As we all know, trial is not only aimed at seeing that offenders are punished but to serve as deterrent to others so as to prevent future occurrence. In this light, justice therefore, is a 3-way traffic; Justice for the accused, justice for the victim and justice for the state. I must state clearly that the accused persons are presumed innocent of the offences charged against them until proven guilty by this Court,” he said.
Earlier the Court Martial President, Brigadier General Bassey Etuk said the court will do justice to all cases brought before it.
ENd
