The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a court-martial to try158 military personnel for alleged professional misconduct.
Twenty-eight officer and 130 soldiers are to be tried, according to the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force “Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, who inaugurated the court martial at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Saturday.
Members of the panel are; Maj. Gen. Bainze Mohammed, Brig. Gen Dominic Udofa, Squadron Leader Audu Satomi, and Lt. Col. Rotimi Bakari.
Musa said the safety and well-being of Nigerians depended considerably on the willingness and readiness of the Armed Forces to defend the nation against threats to national security.
He added that to maintain the Armed Forces in a state of readiness, the military must be ready to enforce internal discipline effectively, in accordance with extant laws.
He explained that court martial trials are regimental and judicial exercises, which may be reviewed, reduced or remove the rights and priviledges of any convicted service personnel.
He added that the court martial was unique to the military, and its trials were backed by the Armed Forces Act.
Musa added that the court deal only with matters pertaining directly to regimentation, discipline, efficiency and morale of military personnel.
