The 12 soldiers who attacked their GOC in Maiduguri have been sentenced to death

13 out of the 18 soldiers standing trial for participating in the mutiny (revolt action) against their General Officer Commanding, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mohammed at the newly created 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri on May 12th have been sentenced to death by a military court that sat in Abuja yesterday night September 15th.

Five others were discharged and acquitted while one was jailed for 28 days with hard labor. Choi, they should temper justice with mercy biko o. Continue

The soldiers had on May 14th revolted against poor remuneration and lack of sophisticated weapons to fight Boko Haram. On that particular day, the soldiers lost their cool after seeing the corpse of some of their colleagues killed by Boko Haram men. They immediately opened fire on their GOC, who luckily escaped unhurt.

The President of the Court Martial (military court), Maj. Gen. C.C. Okonkwo, while delivering his judgement said the 12 soldiers were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mutiny, attempt to commit murder (shooting at the vehicle of the GOC); insubordination to a particular order; insubordination and false accusation.

Those sentenced are Jasper Braidolor, David Musa, Friday Onuh, Yusuf Shuaibu, Igonmu Emmanuel, Andrew Ugbede, Nurudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukagba, Alao Samuel, Amadi Chukwuma, Alan Linus, and Stephen Clement.

The legal team of the convicts pleaded with the court martial to be lenient and temper justice with mercy stating that some of the men convicted were the sole providers of their families. One of the convict is said to be the only child of his 80 year old mother while another is said to be the father of a 5-month old baby. The legal team argued that giving them maximum sentence would do more harm than good, adding that it would increase the agony of their dependants.

Other members of the court are: Col. TS Nurseman, Col. TO Olowomeye, Col. IG Lassa, Lt.Col. JK Feboke, Lt. Col. CR Nnebeife, Major I Yusuf, Major TA Yakubu and Major AE Martins.

Lt. Col. AA Audu and Lt. Col. U Ukpe served as prosecutors.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ VERDANT STORIES SECTION
TITLE>>>>>>FORBIDDEN
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY


.... Chapter Six Later that day, the boys ate the oranges. They sat beneath a tree at the back of the hostel where they would not be found. But Bawa knew that was where Tanko would take Sule and Garba to. As soon as he saw them go behind the hostel, he went after them. They were already eating the fruits when Bawa showed up. "I see you boys have stolen the master's forbidden fruits. I will just go and inform him," Bawa said, looking at them in disdain. Garba was afraid. He looked from Tanko to Sule "You will not do that," Sule said. "Yes, I will do it and you will all be in big trouble," Bawa said hotly. "What is your problem? You are one of us yet you are being mean to us," Tanko said. "Me? Mean to you? How? When you cheated me yesterday, did you not think you were mean? Now you went to pluck oranges that I opened your eyes to without me, did you not think you are being mean? Now, hear what you are saying?" Bawa said. "So what do you want?" asked Tanko. "We are all brothers." "We are not brothers, I am Maitabba's son and you .... TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...JOIN US TOMORROW FOR MORE ON THIS FUNNY AND EXCITING STORY }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}