The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, on Wednesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The GCM would try four officers and 16 soldiers accused of different offences under the Operation Lafiya Dole. The offences were allegedly committed within the theatre of operation of operation Lafiya Dole.
Brig. Gen Ezugwu said the GCM was set up following a directive from the Army Headquarters. (AHQ).
The Acting GOC said the GCM was convened to try four officers and 16 other ranks of the Nigerian Army who have committed various offences.
“As you are all aware, discipline is the bedrock of the military profession and to have a disciplined body of officers and men, there must be justice because it is when there is justice that discipline can be achieved.
“Justice implies that infractions of the law must be promptly reported, investigated and the accused persons prosecuted within a reasonable time through the laid down rules, regulations and procedures,” Ezegwu said.
He warned that both prosecution nd accused person and their counsels must shun all forms of antics such as request for frivolous adjournments which could lead to unnecessary delays in the trial processes.
He called on the President and members of the GCM to dispense their duty in accordance with the appropriate extant laws and ensure that decision on all the cases is not in beclouded with bias, external pressure or by extraneous factors.
While assuring the accused of fair hearing and adherence to their fundamental human rights, he pleaded with the members of the GCM to ensure that the judgement passed on the accused persons will stand the test of appellate court, public opinion and above all, that of the Almighty CreatOr
