Nigerian Military Sentences Four Soldiers To Death

The Nigerian military court in Abuja has again sentenced another group of four soldiers to death by firing squad. The court made its judgment on Wednesday night in another case involving five soldiers who were accused of mutiny. Ayodele Olawale (lance corporal), Isaiah Olofu (lance corporal), Bankole Taiwo (lance corporal), Adebayo Gbenga (private) were sentenced to death while Sule Ochehepo (lance corporal) was discharged and acquitted. Yet, more soldiers remain on trial for their conducts in the fight against Boko Haram, and face being sentenced to death. On Tuesday, another batch of 118 soldiers were transported from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to face charges in Abuja, the nation’s capital. It is not clear when the troops would be arraigned before the military court, but our sources said unlike their colleagues who were convicted December 17, the 118 soldiers are accused of offences less than mutiny. Also, 22 top officers, including a brigadier general, are being held at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos, preparatory to being arraigned for yet unclear offences.
They could not be arraigned on December 22 because the court was not properly constituted. Their arraignment has now been scheduled for a date in January. The convicted soldiers, apart from the four that were sentenced Wednesday, have been moved to Lagos to await appeal, pardon or execution.