Finally, Army Starts Trial of General, 22 Others in Lagos...

Falana: Military’s recent procurement of weaponry exonerates my clients

After three consecutive postponements, the Nigerian Army yesterday finally commenced the trial of 22 officers, including a brigadier general.

This is just as the counsel to one of the officers, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said the admission by the military hierarchy that they just procured weaponry is enough reason not to try the soldiers.

The closed-door trial was held at the Officers Mess of the 9th Brigade Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos amidst tight security, thus barring journalists from covering the proceedings.

The soldiers on trial were among those arrested and indicted for mutiny in the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east.

The officers include BrigadierGeneral JO Komolafe and 14 Colonels:A. Laguda, V. Ebhaleme, VO Ita, IB Maina, IA Aboi, IM Kabir, MH Abubakar, AA Egbejule, NN Orok, CA Magaji, AO Agwu, AJS Gulani, OO Obolo and AM Adetuyi.

Others are Major MM Idris, Captains M Adamu, OA Adenaike, M. Gidado, MM Clark and S. Raymond and one Second Lieutenant S.O Olowa.

Although he was not at the trial, since his client, General Komolafe’s case was not scheduled to be heard, Falana said the military had assured him that they would communicate with him.

According to him, the trial should not even hold because the soldiers’ position that they had no weapons to fight was corroborated by the recent procurement of weapons.

He said: “The military authority has told the world that they have just taking delivery of military equipment, I feel there is no need to put them on trial, that is why we congratulated them in the successes so far recorded.

“This confirmed that as at the time they were arrested, there was no weapon to fight, but now that they have weapons, they should release the boys to go and join others to fight.”

Falana’s argument was based on the disclosure by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, that the challenges in fighting insurgency has been ameliorated by the recent delivery of military hardware.

The charge against the soldiers was that they disobeyed a direct order from their superior officers to take part in an operation.

However, the soldiers rebelled starting their grouse was that they wanted support and the necessary equipment before embarking on the operation.

The trial was scheduled to commence on January 16, but it was postponed at the last minute to January 19, but it was again moved.