THERE seems to be more
trouble for the two military chiefs removed in the aftermath of the Jaji
bombings.
The Commandant, Armed Forces
Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Abdullahi
Kure and the Corps Commander, Infantry Corps Centre, Major General Mohammed
Danhanne Isa, may be court-martialed, sources told The Nation in Abuja
yesterday.
A Defence source, who pleaded
not to be named, said the two commanders are to face trial for negligence of
duty over the November 25 suicide bombing of St. Andrew’s Protestant Church
inside the Jaji military base, near Kaduna.
The Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, at the weekend ordered the immediate
redeployment of Air Vice Marshal Kure and Gen. Isa.
The redeployment of the top
commanders was contained in statement by Director of Defence Information Vice
Marshal Col. Mohammed Yerima.
A military source told our
correspondent that the redeployment was a prelude to “other necessary action.”
He noted that though it was
still premature to say exactly what the officers would be charged with, “a
charge of negligence of duty has already been established”.
Preliminary findings, he
said, showed “some level of complacency on the part of the commanders in
security arrangement.”
He said the Board of enquiry
instituted by the Defence Headquarters to unravel the circumstances that led to
the twin bomb blasts had long swung into action.
Another military source told
our correspondent that the recommendations of the Board of enquiry set up by
the CDS should determine the steps to take.
He said: “Whatever
recommendations by the Board of enquiry into the incident will be considered
and necessary steps taken to avert future occurrence.”
He added that all options are
open at this stage, pending the conclusion by the Board of enquiry.
Contacted to confirm the
pending trial of the commanders, Director of Defence Information Col. Mohammed
Yerima, said the military authorities have not considered the trial option. The
report, he said, could not be true.
The procedure for special
military court (special powers) was introduced under the Military Act cap 225,
1990.
The Act provides that the
Court is established for the enforcement of discipline in the armed forces.
The court may be convened by
the commanding officer of a unit in the Armed Forces. The court when convened
under the Act excludes the jurisdiction of other courts.
According to the Act, the
court shall have all the powers of a general court-martial order than the power
to impose a penalty of death or a sentence of imprisonment exceeding five
years.
“Any sentence imposed or
awarded by the court shall be subject to confirmation by the Service Chief
concerned and in the case of a commissioned officer, such sentence shall be
channeled through the Service Chief concerned to the Army Council, the Navy
Board or the Air Force Council for confirmation.”