Nigerian Army has begun a court martial of 68 officers who allegedly committed various offences during their participation in Operation Hadarin Daji in Sokoto.
The operation, which is ongoing, is meant to eliminate bandits that have been terrorising Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and parts of Kebbi state.
The court martial was inaugurated on Wednesday by General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj. Gen. Uwen Bassey at the Lt. Gen Yusuf Buratai Ultra modern Auditorium in Giginya Barracks, Sokoto.
Bassey challenged the 12-member court to ensure that justice prevails in the trial.
“The Court must ensure that truth prevailed by evaluating all evidences on their merits.
“Because those to be tried are serving personnel and should be treated with every sense of decorum and fairness,” he said.
He assured that the proceeding would be free and fair and devoid of any form of interference.
Responding, the defence counsel Barrister Godwin Uwadiae said from the inaugural speech of the GOC, he was hopeful of a fair trial for his client.
” Although, my worries are that lot of them over stayed in detention without trial. Some 18 months, 7 months, some even 2 years and this is against the constitution because they ought to be released to their various units on bail, except those who had committed capital offences,” he said.
