The Defence Headquarters has said that ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna of the Nigerian Navy was fairly tried and dismissed by a military court-martial in accordance with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, ordered investigation into Haruna’s detention.
The Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who briefed newsmen on Wednesday on the development in Abuja, said the ex-naval rating pleaded guilty to the charges against during the court-martial hearing.
Gusau said the ex-Seaman, with service number: M5759, last served in Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA, which was a joint operation under the DHQ.
He said his case started when he was found misbehaving during a parade at a coordinating conference of the Commanding Officer, who was addressing troops preparing for operation.
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He said while the CO was addressing the troops, Haruna rating continually interrupted the address, which warranted the officer to direct him to report to the guardroom.
Gusau said the ex-seaman refused to obey the order, which made the commander to order his arrest, adding that Haruna resisted and expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the Nigerian Navy with the aim of preventing other soldiers from taking him into custody.
He said investigation was conducted and the ex-naval rating recommended to be court-martial, adding that he was eventually tried by a General Court-Martial from December 20, 2022 to February 7, 2023.
He added: “Notably, the trial of Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 by GCM was based on the authority that as serving personnel, he was subject to both military and civil laws.
“Accordingly, at the conclusion of proceedings, the GCM found ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 guilty on all counts.
“Based on this, he was sentenced to Reduction in Rate from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on Count One and Dismissal with Ignominy on Counts 2 and 3 with effect from 7 February 2023.
“Thereafter, the ex-rating was placed on open arrest at the arrival hall in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja pending confirmation of the sentences by the Chief of the Naval Staff.
“The Record of Proceedings (ROP) of the trial was forwarded to DHQ on June 27, 2023 and subsequently transmitted to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) on August 8, 2023.
“The sentences of the GCM were thereafter confirmed by the CNS with effect from 19 September 2024.”
Gusau said that the ex-seaman was duly represented by his lawyer throughout the trial, and dismissed as false the alleged incarceration without trial by his wife.
NAN reports that video clips of the court-martial proceeding were also played during the briefing where the ex-naval rating pleaded guilty.
The defence spokesman urged members of the public to discountenance the claim of unjust incarceration by the dismissed navy personnel.
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