Five More Soldiers Arraigned For Mutiny …FG Seeks Secret Trial Of Ndume

Representative of the Rivers Sector Cammand, FRSC, Mrs Rita Moyei (left) with the Isiokpo Unit Commander, Ugochukwu Amaechi during the Unit’s Ember Months enlightement campaign at Igwuruta motor park, Isiokpo recently.

Army authorities again arraigned five more soldiers before a General Court Martial for mutiny at the Abacha Barracks in Abuja yesterday.
The soldiers were said to have pleaded not guilty to the two counts of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny.
The accused are Lance Corporals Bankole Taiwo, Ayodele Olawale, Sule Ochehepo, Isaiah Olofu Adebayo Gbenga.
They all belong to the 81 Batallion of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army.
They were accused of conspiring to incite other personnel of 81 Battalion to commit mutiny at Gubio Base Camp, Maiduguri on September 13 and 14, 2014.
They were also said to have on the same days and location fired sporadically, abandoned weapons and made instigating comments and acts which intended to incite solders of 81 Battalion to mutiny.
The offence of conspiracy was said to be punishable under section 97(1) of Penal Code Cap P89 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014, while the offence of mutiny was said to be punishable under section 521(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN, 2004.
Journalists have been barred from further covering the proceedings of the GMC after the trial of 59 soldiers for mutiny began last week.
However, the charge sheet dated September 19, 2014 which was made available by a military source, showed that the charges preferred against the five newly arraigned soldiers were signed by the Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, Brig. Gen. B.T. Ndiomu.
Ndiomu is also the convening authority for the court.
The charges read, “Count 1: Criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny triable by Court Martial by virtue of section 114 of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under 97(1) of Penal Code Cap P89 LFN, 2004.
“Particulars of offence: In that you on or about 13 and 14, September 2014 at Gubio Base Camp, Maiduguri conspired to incite other personnel of 81 Battalion to commit mutiny.
“Count 2: Mutiny punishable under section 52(1)(b) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.
“Particulars of offence: In that you on or about September 13 and 14 at Gubio Base Camp, Maiduguri fired sporadically, abandoned weapons and made instigating comments and acts which intended to incite soldiers of 81 Battalion to mutiny against the authority of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to bar the members of public from the trial of Senator Aliyu Ndume, for charges of sponsoring the violent Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram
Ndume is a serving senator from Borno State.
Prosecuting counsel, E.A. Orji, in a motion on notice dated September 23, 2014, also sought a protection of the identities of the prosecution witnesses “in the interest of national security and public safety.”
Orji told the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, yesterday, “We urge the court to exclude members of the public from the trial. We also want the court to protect the identities of the remaining witness that shall give evidence in this case.
“The fundamental rights of the accused have not been violated because his counsel is represented and has not in any way been excluded from the matter. It is in the interest of national security and public safety that the motion should be granted.”
The accused person’s counsel, Mr. I. Amaza, however opposed the application arguing that it would violate his client’s right to fair hearing.
He urged the court to turn down the request and make an order directing the prosecution to proceed with the trial.
Justice Kolawole adjourned the case till October 24 for ruling.
The judge had on May 22, 2014 granted an application by prosecution to recall two witnesses who had earlier testified in the case. The witnesses are the MTN and a forensic expert.