MILITARY COURT SENTENCE SOLDIER TO DEATH FOR MURDER.
MILITARY COURT SENTENCE SOLDIER TO DEATH FOR MURDER.
By Yemi Kosoko.
A Private in the Nigerian Army Lukman Musa has been sentenced to death by the Army General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, headquarters of 3 Division Nigerian Army, Jos.
President of the Court Martial Brigadier General Liafis pronounced the death sentence by hanging after court found Musa guilty of culpable homicide after court Musa for the murder of a tricycle rider, Mr. Abdulrahman Isa, in Azere town, Bauchi State and unlawful possession of ammunition.
In the course of the trial, Musa was accused to have connived with an accomplice identified as Mr. Oba who lured Isa into his residence under the pretence of helping him move personal belongings. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Musa struck Isa on the head with a wooden object before strangling him to death.
The victim’s body was later stuffed into a sack and dumped between Shira and Yala villages, while his tricycle was subsequently sold.
The court also found Musa in possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition without lawful authority.
For culpable homicide, the military court ruled that contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 221, Musa was sentenced to death by hanging. On the second count of unlawful possession of ammunition, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Additionally, he was dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy.
Brig Gen Bello described Musa’s actions as “barbaric and heartless,” stressing that the conduct was a grave violation of military values and a betrayal of the Army’s constitutional duty to protect citizens.
“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” the court Martial president declared.
Speaking after the judgment, Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services, 3 Division, described the ruling as a demonstration of Nigerian Army’s commitment to discipline, regimentation, and the administration of justice.
“This judgment signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operates outside the law or laid down standard operating procedures,” Mairuwa noted.
Relatives of the deceased expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the trial which commenced since February this year.
Anas Isa, elder brother of the victim, described the ruling as justice served.
“We are very happy with what the military court has done. We never believed justice would be served this way, but today we are grateful,” he enthused.
The Military Court Martial was convened under the authority of Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, which marks another effort by the Nigerian Army to uphold regimentation, discipline and accountability among its personnel.
