Crime News
Mutiny: 54 Nigerian Soldiers Sentenced To Death By Firing Squad Need Jonathan’s Help To Survive
Dec 18, 2014 – Mutiny: 54 Nigerian Soldiers Sentenced To Death By Firing Squad By General Court Martial Need Jonathan’s Help To Survive
The General Court Martial(GCM) set up by Army authorities to try some of its erring officers and soldiers for offences committed in its operation in the North East have sentenced 54 soldiers to death by firing squad.
The court has also discharged and acquitted five others. The GCM, headed by Brigadier-General M.S. Yusuf as president and Lt-Colonel Ukpe Ukpe, as Judge Advocate, passed the sentences on 59 soldiers for the offences of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny.
Daily Sun gathered that before passing the judgement on the soldiers, the Chief of Army Staff, held a marathon meeting with Principal Staff Offcers (PSO), and other top Army officers at the Army Headquarters Abuja, which lasted over seven hours.
Although details of the meeting were sketchy, sources said the parley also deliberated on the ongoing court martial.
The Army had set up the GCM on October, 15, 2014, to try 97 officers and soldiers for offences committed in the North East operations against insurgency.
Those facing the GCM, include four Lieutenant-Colonels, one Major, four Captains, five Lieutenants, one 2/Lieutenant and one Warrant Officer.
Others are one Sergeant, 24, Corporals, 52 Privates, one Trooper, 67, of the soldiers are being defended by human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Femi Falana(SAN).
Daily Sun gathered that this is not the first time the court was passing judgement on the suspected soldiers as the cases were being taken in batches. However, this is the first time the court was passing death sentences onthe soldiers.
The court will commence sitting to hear the cases of the remaining soldiers and give its verdict before the Christmas
The judgement, is however, subject to confirmation by the Army Council, which has the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman and the Minister of Defence, Chef of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Minimah, Military Secretary and other top Army officers as members.
Damola Oniru
December 18, 2014 at 5:07 AM
abiyamo oru oooooooooo. Pls jonathan should temper justice with mercy
bezo
December 18, 2014 at 5:09 AM
Watin concern me. Just passing……..
Eagle watch
December 18, 2014 at 5:31 AM
If Jonathan can openly declare he cannot kill boko haram that have killed and are still killing thousands of Nigerians (because they are his brothers and sisters) mutiny should not even be considered a crime by Jonathan much less one deserving death penalty. I can almost bet these soldiers did not support their evil plans and that is the reason they want to kill them. Mutiny my *ss! You may kill the body but not the spirit. God help them
Bezo
December 18, 2014 at 5:32 AM
I am calling authorities to be for their release
Prophet Gbenga Rotimi"KINI IWO NFE"
December 18, 2014 at 5:39 AM
Oh Lord of rescue, reveal yourself, save them from this untimely death in Jesus name(AMEN).
Brethren, the Lord has spoke his living word into your life’s, the judgement is no more again, you are all free from the death sentences, rise-up and enjoy the good side of the life together, congratulations.
*08038433483#
clifford
December 18, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Army ways not the same with ours. 54 is too much a life to be wasted. Bko my president see how you can commute this sentence.
i would suggest they be discharged from the force and not life sentence.
simon ochiwu
December 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
Please have mercy on them for the sake of their families.
Nedu
December 18, 2014 at 7:42 AM
Desperate measures calls for desperate steps. Am so sure not all the soldiers involved in this mutiny thing were caught, so let the uncaught(sic) who are ready to die, arm the condemned ones & when they come before the Army Council they should do what they think is right……….These Soldiers are dead already, so there won’t be a problem if there is a shooting spree when the Army Council meets.
I already know GEJ sentence #just strolling#….but seriously, a soldier putting on a trekkers?
Akuwax in Mongu, Zambia.
December 18, 2014 at 11:44 AM
I have found them innocent. This is because there is no case leveled against them.
I literally order the court to release them, failure to that the court will face my wrath.
Finally I wish to inform the people that are advocating for the death penalty of these soldiers to revisit their acts and find out if their past offenses do not need death penalty.
Jonathan is at tag of war. Lets see what he can do.
ssluv
December 18, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Enough of blood shedding in nigeria. God pls hv mercy on them and pardon them tru the president. I believe they hv learnt their lessons.
Soothsayer
December 18, 2014 at 3:15 PM
Diz soldiers ar innocent,de 1million provided by fed.govt 4 procurement of weapons was diverted by corrupt millitary officials.the millitary shud face Boko haram n kill dem nt accusing patriotic soldiers of mutiny to waste dia lifes.u dont expect diz soldiers to face d dreaded boko haram insurgents unarmed cos dis insurgents ar armed to d tooth.sending diz soldiers out unequipped z jxt a sucide mission n i dont suscribe to dat.pls live diz young soldiers alone,our problm z Boko haram.