The Nigeria Army 8 division has inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) and a Special Court Martial (SCM) for the trial of 68 accused officers and soldiers from the division.
Inaugurating the court-martials on Friday in Sokoto, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj.- Gen. Godwin Mutkut, said that the exercise was aimed at ensuring the delivery of justice and upliftment of discipline in line with the tenets of the Nigeria Army.
“Some of these accused have been tried awaiting confirmation while others are awaiting trial.
“In this light, the inauguration of these courts today become crucial. Courts-martial, like all courts, are established to provide justice.
“This is justice not only to the victim of an alleged crime but justice also to the state and to the accused person standing trial,“ he said.
Mutkut called on the members to ensure the free trial of the accused persons.He warned against injustice, stating that
“Please remember that it is better for 99 guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to be unjustly convicted.
“You are to also be mindful of the fact that the accused persons before you remain service personnel and our brothers in arms throughout their trials.
“They should therefore be treated with the same level of decorum in the courtroom as their counterparts out there in the field would
Mutkut further assured the accused persons that the court would be guided throughout the trial by the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.
“This is as encapsulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws and procedures related to your trial,“ he said.
The GOC appealed to both the prosecuting and defense counsels to avoid seeking unnecessary adjournments capable of delaying the trial, saying, “ justice delayed is justice denied.
“We are all also aware that justice rushed is justice crushed. Hence, I enjoin both parties to work hand in hand to ensure that true justice is attained,” Mutkut said.
