Army plans to invite EFCC in to probe nine officers over their conduct during elections

NIGERIAN Army commanders may invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate nine of its officers in connection with allegations of misconduct during the Ekiti and Osun States governorship polls and the 2015 general election.

 

Yesterday, the chief of army staff Lt General Tukur Buratai, received a report from the Nigerian Army Board of Inquiry on the review of allegations of unprofessional conduct levelled against some officers and soldiers during the 2015 general elections. Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the general officer commanding the First Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army chaired the inquiry, which frowned at the conduct of several officers.

 

Following the review, at least two officers face compulsory retirement, three are expected to lose their command, while another officer could face prosecution for receiving bribes during the elections. Nigerian Army spokesman Col Sani Usman, said the panel was set up after it received petitions and allegations of unprofessional and partisan conduct against some officers and soldiers during the 2015 general election and the Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections in 2014.

 

Major General Oyebade said: “Twenty-three officers and over 100 soldiers appeared before the panel as well as 62 civilians. The board made far reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future.

 

“Other recommendations included placing 15 officers on a watch list, nine officers are to be further investigated by the EFCC for allegations levelled against them, while six officers were to face an audit committee and 62 officers, mostly of the rank of Majors and below are to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their respective general officers commanding for counselling.”

 

In addition, the board also commended Captain Sagir Koli for his non-partisanship and professional conduct. Captain Koli was the army officer who blew the whistle on the unprofessional conduct of his colleagues during the Ekiti governorship election that was forced to flee the country after spilling the beans.

 

He has since returned following a change of government and been fully reinstated into the Nigerian Army. In his remarks while receiving the report, Lt General Buratai thanked the board for a thorough and dispassionate job devoid of influence from any quarters.

 

General Buratai expressed delight that the board, knowing the gravity and implication of its report on the careers of officers and impact on the Nigerian Army, discharged its assignment diligently and professionally. He assured his audience that the army would continue to remain professional and apolitical in the discharge of its responsibilities.