Explaining the import of the court-martial, Bello noted that the Nigerian Army thrives on discipline, regimentation and utmost professionalism.
Seventeen soldiers who allegedly committed murder and other crimes are set to face court-martial as the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, has inaugurated general court-martial.
President of the court-martial inaugurated on Tuesday, Brig.-Gen. Liafis Bello, said during the inauguration that the court was conveyed by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Armed Forces Act (Rules of Procedure) 1972, and other extant laws.
Explaining the import of the court-martial, Bello noted that the Nigerian Army thrives on discipline, regimentation and utmost professionalism.
According to it, this makes it to stand out among all the security agencies.
“Unraveling a court martial in the Nigerian Army is a routine duty," he said, adding that the aim was to "ensure strict compliance with the dictates of the military justice system."
He said, “It is delightful to know that 3 Division keyed into the Chief of Army Staff command philosophy, which is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly effective force toward achieving our constitutional responsibility within a joint environment."
Bello, however, noted that to achieve the COAS philosophy, "strict discipline, maintaining exemplary leadership, regimentation and outmost professionalism cannot be overemphasized”.
“It is on this premise that this division deemed it appropriate to convey this general court-martial with the purpose of trying serving personnel for commission of infractions,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Bello promised that the court would be guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, Armed Forces Act (Rules of Procedure) 1972, and other relevant laws.
He added that the principle of natural justice, equity and fairness would be the watchword of the court, adding that the court would ensure justice and fairness to all.
He charged lawyers to ensure decorum during proceedings.
While swearing in the president and other members of the court-martial, the Judge Advocate, Maj. Nasir Abdullahi said that the court martial was an internal mechanism adopted by the Nigerian Army to ensure total discipline among its personnel.
Abdullahi gave the assurance that each accused person would be entitled to a defence counsel.
Speaking to journalists, Maj. Aminu Mairuwa, the Chief Prosecutor, said that the essence of the court-martial was to ensure that army personnel would always operate within the confines of rules of engagement, code of conduct and international best practices.
Mairuwa, who is the Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services of the division, said that the accused personnel comprised one officer and sixteen soldiers.
He said that the personnel allegedly committed murder and unlawful possession and sale of firearms, among other unacceptable conduct.
The accused personnel would be arraigned before the court on March 6.