As the Nigerian Army intensifies its effort to bring erring soldiers to book, five more soldiers have been arraigned before a General Court Martial for mutiny. The five soldiers, who belong to the 81 Battalion of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, are Lance Corporals Bankole Taiwo, Ayodele Olawale, Sule Ochehepo, Isaiah Olofu and Adebayo Gbenga. They have been accused of conspiring to incite other personnel of 81 Battalion to commit mutiny at Gubio Base Camp, Maiduguri, on 13th and 14th of September.
The soldiers were also accused of firing sporadically, abandoning their weapons, making instigating comments and acting in ways intended to incite soldiers 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.
The soldiers, who pleaded not guilty to the two counts of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny, appeared before the GCM on Tuesday, 21 October, at the Abacha Barracks in Abuja.
According to the charge sheet, dated ‘September 19, 2014, the charges preferred against the five newly-arraigned soldiers were signed by the Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, Brig. Gen. B.T. Ndiomu.
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