20 Nigerian Soldiers in Court Over Murder, Other Alleged Crimes

• The Nigerian Army has established a General Court Martial (GCM) for the trial of 20 soldiers and five officers for offences ranging from murder, defilement, extortion and assault on civilians in Enugu state
• Legit.ng reports that the personnel to be tried are within the jurisdiction of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu
• While inaugurating the court martial on Tuesday, February 18, in Enugu, President of the GCM, Brigadier-General Buhari Sadisu, said that the court was convened by Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.

Enugu, Enugu state - The Nigerian Army (NA) has established a General Court Martial (GCM) for the trial of five officers and 20 soldiers within the jurisdiction of the 82 Division of the army in Enugu state.

As reported by Premium Times, the alleged offences of the accused army personnel include murder, defilement, extortion and assault on civilians.

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Inaugurating the court martial on Tuesday, February 18, in Enugu state, the President of the GCM, Sadisu Buhari, a brigadier-general, said the court was convened by the general officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Oluyemi Olatoye, a major-general.

Buhari said:

“In court martial, military personnel alleged to have committed offences known to laws applicable to them are tried and if found guilty, punished in accordance with the laws criminalising such offences.

“However, where the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against them, the Court will discharge and acquit the accused personnel.

“For the accused personnel present for today’s inauguration, let me assure you that this court martial will be guided throughout the trial by the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.

“It will also be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws and procedures related to your trial.”

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Buhari assured that the court martial would be free from any external influence and would afford the personnel accused adequate time and facility to defend themselves.

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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that in the first six weeks of 2025, no fewer than 805 lives were lost to violence and insecurity across Nigeria, causing tears and sorrow to families.

Among the dead were 28 soldiers, five police officers, and an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The newspaper said it analysed the timeline in Nigeria Insecurity Tracker (NIT), compiled by Dataxpat.

Source: Legit.ng