Nigerian Army Dismisses General Over Boko Haram Complicity, Jails Him For 6 Months

 

The Nigerian Army has dismissed Brig-Gen. Ransome-Kuti, and as well as sentenced him to six months imprisonment through General Court-Martial (GCM), due to the alleged offences committed during his command of military operations in Baga early this year.

 

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, confirmed this yesterday upon enquiries regarding the judgement passed by a GCM on Thursday at Army Headquarters Garrison in Abuja.

 

Usman said that the sentence pronounced on him on by the military court was not due to acts of cowardice, which was struck out but hinged on several other others offences that depicts unprofessional conducts.

 

He said: "I wish to confirm that one of the accused persons, Brigadier General E. A Ransome-Kuti was awarded the following punishments on the various count charges against him as follows:

 

"The first count charge which was Cowardly Behaviour, was struck out but was found guilty on count charge number two, which was Failure to Perform Military Duties and was dismissed from the Nigerian Army."

 

The Army Spokesman said that Ransom-Kuti "was equally found guilty on count charge number three, which was Miscellaneous Offences Relating to Service Property and was awarded six months imprisonment".

 

Recall that Ransome-Kuti was accused of dereliction of duties, which allegedly led to the capture of Baga and newly acquired weaponry by the Boko Haram terrorists.

 

The dismissed senior officer who was represented by the former Chairman of West African Bar Association, Femi Falana (SAN), was also alleged to have upon investigations, failed to account for the arms and ammunition under his supervision.

 

The sentence by the GCM is however expected to be challenged by the Ransom-Kuti at the appellate court.

 

Credits: Thisdaylive.com