Defence Headquarters said on Wednesday that Ex -Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 was dismissed from service by General Court Martial, GCM, after he was found guilty of offences contrary to Armed Forces Act (AFA) Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation (LFN) 2004,
Director of Defence Information,DDI, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau who made the clarification in Abuja said that contrary to media report Ex Seaman Haruna’s case was thoroughly and properly investigated ,tried and adjudicated upon by properly constituted General Court Martial.
The judgement of the General Court Martial has been confirmed by the Chief of the Naval Staff , the confirming authority, Ex – Seaman Abbas Haruna being a personnel of the Nigerian Navy prior to the judgement.
Brigadier General Gusau further clarified that Ex- Seaman Abbas Haruna was charged before the General Court Martial
found guilty and
sentenced accordingly on 3 counts charge of Disobedience to Particular Orders, Resistance to Arrest and Offences in Relation to Public and Service Property contrary to Sections 56 (1), 86 (1) and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act (AFA) Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation (LFN) 2004, respectively.
According to the director, Haruna was arrested and charged before GCM after he resisted order of arrest from his Commanding Officer and “expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the NN firing with the aim of preventing other soldiers from taking him into custody.”
Ex – Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 was a rating of the Nigerian Navy who last served under Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA which was a joint operation under DHQ.
But he was found misbehaving during a parade. “Specifically, the ex rating was part of the parade during a coordinating conference of the Commanding Officer (CO), when he was addressing troops of Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA preparing for operation. While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex rating continually interrupted the address which warranted the CO to direct him to report to the guard room. However, the rating refused to obey the order.
“Thus, the CO directed his arrest but the ex rating resisted and expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the NN with the aim of preventing other soldiers from taking him into custody. Consequently, investigation was conducted and the ex rating was recommended to be tried by court martial.”
At the trial the Ex – Seaman pleaded not guilty at the arraignment but before the prosecution could call their witnesses to establish their case against the ex rating, his counsel made an application to the effect that the ex rating wanted to change his plea. The application was granted and the ex rating changed his plea to guilty, thereby necessitating re-arraignment and subsequent conviction.
The Director said that all due processes was observed during the trial and it has been proved that the ex rating cannot be trusted with a rifle or any weapon belonging to the AFN.
He urged journalists to always cross check their facts before publications.