The Army yesterday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try four officers and 16 soldiers found wanting in the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezeugwu, inaugurated the GCM in Maiduguri, yesterday.
Gen. Ezeugwu said the action followed an order from the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
“Following the directive from Army Headquarters that a standing GCM be set up for the Operation Lafiya Dole to try offences by personnel within the Theatre of Operation, I issued a convening order for the GCM on August 5, and members were directed to assemble today for formal inauguration.
“Discipline is the bedrock of the military and to have a disciplined body of officers and men, there must be justice, because it is when there is justice that discipline can be achieved.
“Justice implies that infractions of the law must be promptly reported, investigated and the accused persons prosecuted within a reasonable time through laid down rules, regulations and procedures.
“The GCM is, therefore, convened to try four officers and 16 other ranks, who committed various offences within the Theatre, he added.
Ezeugwu noted that the aim of a GCM was to ensure quick dispensation of justice to accused persons.
President of the GCM Brig.-Gen. Segun Adeniyi promised to be fair and just to the accused.