April 29, (THEWILL) – A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the 82 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali.
The court, comprising 11 members, was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to adjudicate offences not triable summarily within the division.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division, said the President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, delivered the rulings in a solemn courtroom session.
Private Mohammed, identified by service number 21NA/80/6365, was convicted under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“After a careful review of the evidence presented, including the soldier’s service record and plea for leniency, the panel unanimously found him guilty. In the interest of justice and societal values, the law must take its full course. He is hereby sentenced to death by hanging”, the GCM held.
In a separate case, Private Abubakar Yusuf (23NA/85/12116) was found guilty of robbery committed at a mall in Enugu. He was charged under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act.
Although the court considered pleas for leniency in Yusuf’s case, it was unable to reach a unanimous decision required for the maximum sentence. Instead, relying on Section 140(3) of the Act, the court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment.
“The accused soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment”, General Buhari declared.
The GCM, however, reiterated that the verdicts remain subject to confirmation by the appropriate military authority.
Reacting to the outcome, the Nigerian Army “assures the public of its unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of ethics and conduct in service.”
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