The
death sentences by firing squad passed on 66 soldiers in January and
March 2015 by separate General Court Martials have been commuted to 10
years imprisonment each.
It will be recalled
that 71 soldiers were arraigned on several charges in joint trials. The
soldiers were arraigned on several count charges that include Criminal
Conspiracy, Conspiracy to commit mutiny, Mutiny, Attempt to Commit an
Offence (Murder), Disobedience to Particular Orders, Insubordinate
Behaviour and False Accusation, amongst others.
They
were tried, discharged on some charges but found guilty and convicted
on other charges which included mutiny. Out of the number, 66 were found
guilty on some of the count charges and sentenced to death, while 5
were discharged and acquitted and 1 was given 28 days Imprisonment with
Hard Labour (IHL).
However, following series
of petitions, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu
Buratai, ordered a legal review of the cases. The directive was carried
out to examine the merit of each case. It was on the basis of the
review and recommendations that the Chief of Army Staff commuted the
death sentences of the 66 soldiers to 10 years jail term. The sentences
are to run concurrently.
The cases of other soldiers are being reviewed and will be made public once the appropriate reviews are completed.
Kindly disseminate this information to the public through your medium.
Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations
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