Brigadier Ransome-Kuti heads list of 30 officers to face court-martial for negligence

NIGERIA'S military authorities plan to prosecute 30 officers including Beko Ransome-Kuti's son for their negligent roles in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast of the country.

 

Over the last year, on a clampdown on indiscipline, the Nigerian Army stepped up the trial of officers found wanting in their duties against Boko Haram. In March, 21 officers including a brigadier, four colonels, seven lieutenant  colonels and 10 others were tried for negligence and complicity in the invasion of the 21 Artillery Brigade, Bama, on September 2, 2014.

 

In December last year, 54 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad by a general military court martial set up by the Nigerian Army after being found guilty of mutiny. Over the six months, there have been at least two major court-martials in which 66 soldiers have been sentenced to death for mutiny.

 

Stepping up this fight against negligence, cowardice and collusion, the Nigerian Army has ordered 30 officers to proceed to the Army Headquarters Garrison in Abuja to face a judicial panel. According to an internal army memo dated March 11, 2015 the officers are to be court-martialled for various offences.

 

Specific offences for which each of the officers is to be tried was not stated but military insiders say it has to do with their conduct in the fight against the Boko Haram extremist group. Among those listed in the document is Enitan Ransome-Kuti, a Brigadier and commander of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) , who has been blamed for the loss of Baga in January.

 

Brigadier Ransome-Kuti, his chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel GA Suru and some other senior officers were arrested for failing to repel the terrorists' attack on the MNJTF headquarters. Here is the list of the affected officers:

 

1. Brigadier EA Ransome-Kuti 
2. Colonel OC Ajunwa
3. Lieutenant Colonel

4. Lieutenant Colonel A Haruna
5. Lieutenant Colonel MO Eteng
6. Lieutenant Colonel MY Lawal
7. Lieutenant Colonel JO Ememe
8. Lieutenant Colonel HM Bukar
9. Lieutenant Colonel GA Suru
10. Major AA Malgwi
11. Major C Amah

12. Major N Akpagher

13. Major ES Okore
14. Captain EE Ayegba
15. Captain BT Bamisaiye

16. Captain CU Okereke
17. Captain EO Ogundile
18. Captain F Abajah

19. Captain UJ Atumeyi
20. Captain RG Mohammed
21. Captain DY Chiwar

22. Captain P Dangnap
23. Captain JA Maku
24. Captain EU Omatighene
25. Captain BE Alfred

26. Lieutenant AJS Gulani
27. Lieutenant AA Tijjani
28. Lieutenant GM Gomo

29. Lieutenant AV Chijioke
30. Second Lieutenant IS Mekwunye