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Army Insists On More Court-Martials
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-.Gen. Kenneth Minimah, yesterday said the Nigerian Army would continue to set up court-martial to check indiscipline among troops operating in North-East.
Minimah said this at the Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2015 (NADECL).
He said the army is taking all proactive measures to restore sanity and battle confidence to troops.
He explained that court-martial was set up to try those soldiers and officers who ran away during the operation.
The army chief said there were saboteurs who believed the war was not to be fought and also those who believed in the war sentiment and showed cowardice.
He said some of the soldiers joined the army to own properties and others joined the army for employment, adding that they did not join to fight.
“I must set up court-martial, and if you are in my place and you did nothing, you are not worth being a Chief of Army Staff. I did that, I have no regret.
“I am setting up more court-martial to try people who ran, show cowardice, abandoned troops and equipment and ran away.
“Why are you in the army? Why are you running away? Is that the army we want in Nigeria?’’ Minimah asked.
The army chief said any soldier who cannot fight for his country should not exist, adding that the oath of allegiance of the military commands that a soldier should fight.
According to him, the oath also said that if possible the “soldier should lay down his life for his fatherland and that is the oath we all took’’.
Minimah appealed to Nigerians to be patient, assuring that the fight on terrorism would soon be over.
However, he said that more time was needed and with the support of the citizenry the fight will be over.
He said the choice of Maiduguri for the celebration is for the army to identify with the government and people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and the entire North Eastern region that the army share their pains.
He also said the celebration in Maiduguri would boost the morale of troops operating there.
On removal of military check points, Minimah explained that not all military check points and road blocks were being removed, contrary to the perception of people.
“Indeed, we will re-establish some that were erstwhile removed like in the South-East and some of the South-South areas where kidnapping and ransom exist.
“So, the road blocks and check points will remain in certain areas.
“And in the areas where they cause hardship for citizens we are taking steps to ensure that they are presented in such a way that citizens experience less hardship,’’ said the army chief.
On his part, Chaplaincy Roman Catholic Army, Rev. Father Charles Ireogbu said vision was important as this can help overcome challenges and bring success.
Taking his text from Joshua 1 verses 1 to 16, the cleric said it was when there was vision that things can be done well and success would be achieved.
“We must see God as our own weapon of victory, there are weapons but without God victory is not possible,’’ he said.
He urged all members of the armed forces to pray to God for them to overcome and come out of the fight against Boko Haram successfully.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene