By Charles Onyekwere
No fewer than six soldiers of the Nigerian Army are currently facing a general court-martial for indiscipline and other related offences at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu. The soldiers involved are between the ranks of corporal and lance corporal.
Inaugurating the General Court Martial on Wednesday, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja said that court-martial was meant to instill discipline in the Nigerian Army. Lagbaja noted that it was also meant to punish erring personnel as well as act as a deterrent for others not to copy or engage in any act of indiscipline.
According to him, it is an internal mechanism of the Nigerian Army used to put all its personnel in check.
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“It leads the Nigerian Army to be a professional and a well-disciplined force. It also builds and upholds regimentation and all ethics of the force. The general court martial is recognised by the country’s law and constitution,” he said.
The GOC, however, said that the general court martial provides justice to all – both to the accused, the state (Nigerian Army) and the entire society. He charged the court martial panel to ensure expeditious justice delivery since justice delayed is justice denied.
“However, I urge the penal members not to sacrifice sound judgment and justice on the altar of expeditious or speedy justice delivery,” he noted.
The eight-man panel for the General Court Martial is headed by Col. Dickson Igbokwe.
