The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a Court Martial to prosecute 68 Army personnel over different rate of offences.
The General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters in Sokoto, Major General Uwem Bassey inaugurated the panel at Lieutenamt, General Tukur-Buratai Auditorium, Giginya Barracks.
According to him, the division convened two General Court Martial in September last year and in April, this year.
He said that the two Court Martials had concluded their proceedings and those cases have been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority for confirmation.
“The reason why another Court Martial all were inaugurated today was due to extingencies of postings and promotion of members of previous Court-Martial.
“So due process has to be done and we are here to inaugurate new Court-Martial today.
” Court Martial like any other court of the land are establish to administer justice and justice not only to the victims of any alleged offence, but justice to the institution, the state and even accused person standing for trial,” General Bassey stated.
He explained that the court Martial was establish to ensure that truth prevail between the institution and the victims.
The General Officer urged the newly inaugurated court martial to evaluate all evidences before and to be in line with the principles of fair hearing in deciding all cases base on merits.
He reminded members of the Court Martial that it was always better for 99 accused persons to go free than for one innocent victim to be convicted for an offence he or she did not commits.
“The court should always be mindful of the fact that the accused personnel before them are still service members of the Nigerian Army and as service men they still remain comrade with arms.
“They should be treated with all level of decorum and fairness,” he stated.
He assured all the accused persons that the court would be guided throughout the trial under the principle of natural justice, equity and fair hearing as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.
He said the court would be free from any external influences or interference to enable the accused have adequate time to defend their self or call their turning for assistance.
He said the court is fully aware with the cardinal principle of criminal justice system that they are still presume to be innocent until contrary is proven.
General Bassey appealed to Prosecuting and Defense Counsel to avoid unnecessary seeking of adjournment that lead to unnecessary delays.
He also called on both parties to work hand in hand to ensure justice achieved.
The Head of the Defense Counsel, Barrister Godwin Uwadiae, called on the President of the Court to ensure rule of law was observed during the prosecution.
He called for administrative bails of the accused, where the accused would be posted instead of detaining them especially those whose case are not related with death penalty.
Barrister Uwadiae assured the victims that the court would ensure speedy dispensation of justice during the process.
The newly inaugurated Court Martial is led by its President, Colonel Clement Iyere.
Confidence Okwuchi
