SAN FRANCISCO, October 18, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army, in a court martial, has sentenced a staff sergeant to two years imprisonment for brutalizing a ten year old boy.
The staff sergeant, Umar Sule was charged for brutalizing the boy, Mohammed Saleh, at Simari Ward, London Chiki area of Maiduguri.
The convicted soldier was accused of tying the minor to a poll and beating him severally for about seven hours after he allegedly caught the boy stealing his N2,000.
The boy sustained numerous injuries which eventually led to the amputation of one of his arms as a result of the brutality.
Allegations were brought against the soldier by the National Human Rights Commission which led to his court martial and subsequent conviction and de-promotion to the rank of a private.
Delivering judgment, the President of the Court set up by the Nigerian Army at the 7 Division Maiduguri, Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi said the court arrived at the decision having found the accused, staff sergeant Umar Sule guilty of the offence and having listened to the prosecutor urging the court to treat him as first offender and the lead defence counsel’s plea that the accused enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 1999 and has served in various conflict missions home and abroad.
He said the defence counsel also argued that the accused was deployed to Operation Lafiya Dole and was willing to serve the Nigerian Army and the country dedicatedly and that he has never committed any offence.
They equally argued that he has showed sign of remorse and pleaded guilty as a family and responsible man and that the court martial should temper justice with mercy after promising he will never be found wanting again.
The President said he was sentenced based on the Nigerian Army rules and laws of 1972 and 1974 respectively on two count charges subject to confirmation by the confirming authority of the Nigerian Army as required by the law.
The Military Lead Prosecutor, Major M.M. Yero in his remark said he has no objection to the sentence of the court while the Lead Defence Counsel, Barrister G. K. Abba also said he had no objection to the judgement.
The National Human Rights Commission North East Zonal Officer, Barrister Jummai Usman Mshelia, remarked that the proceedings of the court were fair and transparent and in compliance with the rule of law and human rights violation consideration.
She commended the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Tukur Buratai for constituting the Court Marshal to give fair hearing to the civil society indicating respect for rule of law and human rights in the activities or operations of the Nigerian Army.
Mshelia added that the entire proceedings were transparent and highly appreciated by the NHRC while pledging to forward the verdict of the court to the National headquarters Abuja for perusal.
