Following conclusion of trials for serious breaches of military law, a General Court Martial (GCM) convened at the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Enugu, has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for murder. Also sentenced is Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbery, TNT can report.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, the GCM was composed of 11 members and inaugurated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye on 18 February 2025 to adjudicate cases involving erring personnel, with Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari presiding.
According to the judgments as delivered by Brigadier General Buhari, Private Mohammed was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, an offence punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. It was a unanimous decision of the GCM despite a review of Private Mohammed’s service record and the pleas for leniency.
“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Brigadier General Buhari held.
In another case, Private Abubakar Yusuf was convicted of robbery committed at a mall in Enugu. He was found guilty under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, the statement by Lieutenant Colonel Unuakhalu adds. There was no unanimous decision to impose the maximum mandatory punishment. The GCM, therefore, applied Section 140(3) of the Act, resulting in a 10-year imprisonment sentence.
“Due to the inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum mandatory punishment, the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,” Brigadier General Buhari held.
The President of the GCM emphasised that both sentences are subject to confirmation by the appropriate confirming authority, as prescribed by military law.
