Another 60 Nigerian Soldiers May Be Sentenced To Death. Read Why

Some set of Nigerian soldiers, numbering about 60 will be arraigned before a General Court Martial by military authorities in Abuja on Thursday for mutiny.

The case the military authority is holding against the said soldiers is that they committed mutiny on August 4, 2014 by allegedly refusing to join troops in Maiduguri for an operation.

The Punch reports that a copy of the charge sheet filed against the 60 soldiers was retrieved on Monday.

According to the charge sheet, the soldiers, comprising two corporals, nine lance corporals and 49 privates, are to be summoned on two counts of conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny.

The sheet further revealed that the soldiers committed the offence at Mulai Primary School, close to African Independent Television (AIT) in Maiduguri, Borno State. It said the incident occurred on August 4, 2014 as they clearly refused to join “111 SF Bn troops” led by Col. E.A. Aladeniyi to Maimalari Barracks from where they would have proceeded for an operation.

The charge sheet further held that they “conspired to commit mutiny against the authority of 7 Division,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004.

The soldiers were also accused of committing mutiny which is said to be punishable under Section 52(1)(a) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.
The charges can basically be tried at the GCM under Section 114 of the AFA Cap A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004.

The charge sheet reads, “Count One: Criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny triable by the General Court Martial by virtue of Section 114 of the AFA Cap A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P 89 LFN 2004.

“Particulars of offence: In that you at Mulai Primary School Camp opposite AIT Maiduguri on or about 4 August 2014 conspired to commit mutiny against the authority of 7 Division.

“Count 2: Mutiny contrary to and punishable under section 52(1)(a) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.

“Particulars of offence: In that you at Mulai Primary School Camp opposite AIT Maiduguri on or about 4 August 2014 refused to JOIN 111 SF BN troops led by Col. E.A. Aladeniyi (N/9695) to Maimalari Barracks in connection with an operation.”