The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Taskforce (North West) Operation HADARIN DAJI, Major General Godwin Micheal Mutkut, has inaugurated a special court Martial to address various offences committed by Nigerian Army personnel in various theatres of operation across the country.
General Mutkut made the inauguration at the 8 Division headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto state.
He reiterated that court martial, like all other courts, is established to provide justice not only to the victims of an alleged crime but justice also to the State and the accused persons.
“To sustain the administration of justice and fair hearing for enhanced service discipline, it is the bedrock of any military professionalism that the inauguration of the SCM became crucial,” he noted.
He, therefore, charged the court to evaluate all evidence before it in line with the principles of fairness and to decide each case on its merit to ensure justice is served to all.
General Mutkut reminded the Court of the assertion that says 99 guilty persons should go free than for one innocent person to be unjustly convicted.
“the Special Court Martial will be guided throughout the trial by the principles of natural justice and fair hearing as encapsulated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other laws and procedures related to their trials,” he assured.
The GOC reiterated that the court will be devoid of any external influence and will afford them adequate time and facilities to defend themselves.
Present at the inauguration of the Court were Senior Officers including the President of the Court, Colonel Kabir Imam, formation commanders, and prosecution and defence councils among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
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