The trial of senior military officers accused of mutiny during the capture of Baga in Borno State by Boko Haram began yesterday with the officers pleading not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
The officers include Brig-Gen J.O. Komolafe, Cols A. Laguda, V. Ebhaleme, V.O. Ita, I.B. Maina, I. A Aboi, I.M Kabir, M.H. Abubakar, A. A. Egbejule, N. N. Orok, C. A. Magaji, A.O. Agwu, A.J.S. Gulani, O.O. Obolo and A.M. Adetuyi.
Others are Major M.M. Idris, Captains M. Adamu, O. A. Adenaike, M. Gidado, M.M. Clark and S. Raymond, and 2nd Lt S.O. Olowa.
The trial which was earlier postponed three times in a row was carried out behind closed doors amidst tight security at the officers’ mess of the 9th Brigade Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.
The 22officers were arrested and indicted for alleged mutiny during the war against the insurgents at the north-eastern part of the country.
A lawyer defending one of the officers on trial, Mr Femi Falana, disclosed to journalists that he was not at the trial venue since the case involving his client, General Komolafe, was not going to be heard.
He said the military authorities had assured him that they would inform him when his client’s case would come up. Falana also admitted representing Brig-Gen Ransome Kuti, though he declined to speak on the matter, since, according to him, his client’s case had not come up.
Lawyer to some of the colonels on trial, Barr Tayo Oyetibo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told LEADERSHIP on telephone that the arraignment took place yesterday and that all the accused pleaded not guilty, adding that the case was adjourned till Wednesday and Thursday. (Leadership)
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