The Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General VU Ezegwu on Wednesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) in Maiduguri.
The Court was inaugurated to dispel all pending disciplinary cases that occurred in the Theatre of Operation LAFIYA DOLE particularly cases that could not be tried summarily.
A total number of 20 military personnel including 4 officers (2 Majors and 2 Captains) and 16 others comprising 1 Staff Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, 3 Lance Corporals, 7 Privates soldiers and a Naval Sea Man are to undergo trial for different offences.
The nature of the offences include murder, loss of arms, defilement, assault occasioning to bodily harm and desertion, amongst others.
The President of the Court is Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi.
In his remarks after the inauguration, he promised to be fair to all the accused persons as they are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Finally, you are to please ensure that the judgement you pass on the accused person will stand the test of appellate court, public opinion and above all, that of the Almighty Creator. For the accused, be assured that you are all presumed innocent until this honourable court finds otherwise. I want to further sate that your rights to fair hearing and other fundamental human rights would be adhered to throughout this trial.
He reiterated that the court will hasten it’s proceedings as justice delayed is justice denied.
