Soldier To Die By Hanging For Killing Girlfriend

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Private Adamu Mohammed, a soldier attached to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, is to die by hanging for snuffing life out of his girlfriend.

Similarly, his colleague, Abubakar Yusuf, is to spend the next ten years behind bars for his involvement in robbery activities.

A statement from the Division’s spokesperson, Lt C Jonah Unuakhalu, on Tuesday April 29, 2025, informed that both soldiers were found guilty by a General Court Marshall GCM established by the Division.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, Oluyemi Olatoye, a Major General, had on February 18, 2025, set up the GCM to look into cases involving erring service men of the 82 Division, Enugu, whose offences could be disposed of summarily.

Delivering judgment, the President of the Panel, Sadisu Buhari, a Brigadier General, noted that Private Mohammed was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali.

According to him, the offence is punishable under Section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 LFN 2004 .

The Verdict which the President said  was unanimous among Panel members, was arrived at after a careful examination of facts before the GCM, including the career and service record of the soldier.

In the same vein, General Buhari, informed that the GCM in arriving at its ruling also considered the plea for leniency by the accused and his legal representatives.

However, the GCM  noted that  the interest of justice for the deceased as well as the need to maintain  societal decorum far outweighed any other consideration.

“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder”, the panel ruled.

On the other hand, the GCM, found Private Yusuf guilty of a robbery incident at a Mall in Enugu, noting that the offence contravenedG Section 107(1) (b) of the Armed Forces Act ,Cap A20 LFN 2004.

“Although ,the court attentively considered the plea for mitigation presented by the accused and his Counsel,the law was applied to uphold societal decorum and protect the reputation of the Army.

However, due to the inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum mandatory punishment, prescribed under Section 107(2) of the Armed Forces Act ,Cap A20 LFN 2004 ,the GCM relying on the provisions of Section 140 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, hereby sentences the accused soldier 23NA/85/12116,Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment”, the GCM President.

The GCM noted that the sentences for both soldiers remain subject to the confirmation of relevant authorities within the System.

This is just as the Nigeria Army reaffirmed its determination and unwavering commitment towards upholding the highest ethical and professional standards among its officers and men.