The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, (NA) Major General Emmanuel Kabul has on Monday the 10th of December, 2018 inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try erring personnel of the Division. This is in line with the importance of discipline to the success or failure of any organisation, particularly the military, - in peace or in war.
In his inaugural speech at the inauguration of the court at the 82 Division Officers' Mess, Abakpa Cantonment Enugu, the GOC enjoined members of the GCM to adhere strictly to the rules of law and strict obedience to the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 as amended. He described discipline as the bed rock of Military profession. According to him "the operational efficiency of any military force is a mix of sound administration and rigid disciplinary measures".
"Thus, disciplinary measures in the military to which court martial belongs, are aimed at guaranteeing a highly disciplined and battle ready army, which is in line with the Chief of Army Staff vision - "To have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its Constitutional roles". In this vein, trials in the NA must be organized and administered in accordance with provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) as amended", he added.
The essence of the GCM, in addition to the dispensation of justice, is to send the right signal to the NA personnel that may fall into the temptation of violating extant rules and regulations, - that acts of indiscipline will be met with appropriate disciplinary action.
He charged all the parties in the cases to avoid unnecessary techanicalities that would delay the trials and in the process wastes alot of resources.
"Let me recall both Section 36 of the 1999 CFRN (as amended) and Section 122 of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which emphasize that expeditious and speedy trials form the basis of which fair trial must rest" - the GOC stated.
Major General Kabuk further reiterated the popular believes that justice delayed is justice denied, justice delayed is not justice denied and justice delayed - is not justice at all, he added.
Colonel Edwàrd Abore is the President of the GCM. He promised to administer justice in line with Armed Forces Act Cap A20 law of Federal and CFRN 1999 as amended. He made it clear that all the accused are entitled to legal representation of their choices.
Twelve Soldiers will be appearing before the GCM on various charges.
In the military, offences that can not be summarily tried are the ones that are referred for court martial as contained in Section 124, Sub Section 6 of the Armed Forces Act.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations
