Military court sentences soldier to death by hanging
A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, and another, Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbery.
The GCM was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, to try military personnel for offences.
The court martial, presided over by the President of the court, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, also sentenced one Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbery that was committed at a popular Mall in Enugu.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Jonah Unuakhalu, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the sentences were handed to the two culprits following the conclusion of their trials for murder and robbery respectively.
Giving an update about the matter on Tuesday in Abuja, Unuakhalu, a Lt Col, said the court ruled that Private Mohammed’s murder offence was punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He quoted the President of the court to have said the soldier was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, adding that the panel unanimously arrived at its decision after a thorough review of the evidence, the service record of the accused, and a plea for mitigation by the defence counsel.
The senior military officer, however, stressed that in the interest of justice and societal order, the law must take its full course.
“Given this, the General Court Martial has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” President of the court, Buhari, was quoted to have said.
Revealing Private Yusuf offence in a separate case, Unuakhalu explained that the court found Private Yusuf guilty of robbery at a mall within Enugu metropolis, adding that Yusuf was convicted under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004.
Although pleas for leniency were considered, Buhari noted that, due to the inability of the court to reach the unanimous decision required for a maximum sentence under Section 107(2) of the Act, the GCM instead relied on Section 140(3) to impose a 10-year prison term.
“Accordingly, the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,” he said.
According to him, the sentences are subject to confirmation by the appropriate military authorities, which marks the conclusion of the soldiers’ trials.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
“The wrong actions of a few do not reflect the values of the institution. Swift and decisive measures are always taken to ensure accountability and justice,” he stated.
