The Nigerian Army has announced the sack of several senior officers of the Service.
Their offences ranged from their roles in the 2015 general election, which was believed to be partisan, and involvement in Defence contract scams.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman, those sacked included Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and a major.
Though the statement did not give the names of the involved, it would be recalled that top on the list of those indicted for partisanship in the 2015 general election were those who took part in the governorship election in Ekiti State, which produced Ayo Fayose as Governor.
A panel set up by the Nigerian Army to probe the petition of the All Progressives Congress over the election, indicted some senior Generals based on revelations contained in a recorded audio tape detailing the involvement of senior officers in the electoral fraud.
The audio tape was recorded by Captain Sagir Koli.
The panel was headed by Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army.
Oyebade stated that 62 officers and over 100 soldiers appeared before the panel as well as 62 civilians.
Three officers were recommended to be given Letters of Commendations.
According to Oyebade, the Board had made far reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future.
He further added that two officers were recommended for compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army, three were to lose their command and one was recommended for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.
Other recommendations included placing 15 officers on watch list, nine officers to be further investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, while six were to face an audit committee.
Sixty-two officers, mostly of the rank of Majors and below, were to be given Letters of Displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counselling.
General Oyebade also commended Koli for non-partisanship and professional conduct during the election period.
So also did a panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari indict several military officers of involvement in arms purchase fraud.
Top on the list of that was the $2.1 billion arms fraud for which several military officers are being tried and investigated at present.
Usman added in the statement: “Their retirement was based on Service exigencies. It should be recalled that not too long ago some officers were investigated for being partisan during the 2015 General Elections.
“Similarly, the investigation by the Presidential Committee investigating Defence Contracts revealed a lot. Some officers have already been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“People should therefore not read this out of context.
“The military must remain apolitical and professional at all times.
“We must applaud and support this laudable and bold initiative by the government.”
Trending
- One abducted as gunmen strike on Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Road
- Governor queries Emirate over shunning of Sallah celebration by District Heads
- Ali Modu Sheriff’s mother dies, burial plan released
- Ondo, Ekiti to suffer nine hours daily power outage for two months
- Atiku slams federal government over Borno bomb attacks
- Police deny arresting VeryDarkMan
- Before Yahaya Bello scores an own goal, by Kazeem Akintunde
- 2024 Hajj: Pilgrimage, a successful accomplishment — Arabi