Boko Haram: Army makes u-turn, demotes Gen Ransome-Kuti
– The Army Council has commuted the dismissal of Brig-Gen Enitan Ransome-Kuti to a demotion to the rank of colonel
– The council also quashed his six months imprisonment with immediate effect
– Ransome-Kuti was accused of dereliction of duties
File photo of Gen Enitan Ransome-Kuti
The Army Council has commuted the dismissal of Brig-Gen Enitan Ransome-Kuti to a demotion to the rank of colonel with four years seniority, Thisday reports.
The council also quashed his six months imprisonment with immediate effect from October 15, 2015.
This decision was contained in a circular dated March 1, 2016 and signed by Col. O. N. Taiwo on behalf of the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai.
According to the circular, the council took the decision in its last meeting on February 22, 2016, after reviewing the judgment of the special court martial that tried Ransome-Kuti on a three-count charge for failure to perform military duties and miscellaneous offences relating to service property.
The army had on October last year dismissed Brig-Gen. Ransome-Kuti, and sentenced him to six months imprisonment through general court martial by the Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ), due to the alleged offences committed during his command of military operations in Baga, Borno state, early this year.
Part of the circular read: “A special court martial (SCM) was convened vide reference A to try the above named senior officer. He was arraigned on a three-count charges for Failure to perform military duties and miscellaneous offences Relating to service property.
“He was tried but was discharged and acquitted on count 1. He was however found guilty on count 2 and 3 by the SCM that tried him. He was thus awarded dismissal from the army on count 2 and six months imprisonment on count 3.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram: NAF gets new camouflage
“Consequently, I am directed to inform you that reference B has conveyed to this headquarters that the army council in its last meeting on February 22, 2016, confirmed the conviction of the accused senior officer on count two but commuted the sentence of dismissal to reduction in rank from Brigadier-General to Colonel with four years seniority WEF October 15, 2015.
“The council also quashed the finding of guilt and the award of six months imprisonment by the SCM on count three and replaced same with finding of not guilty.
“Accordingly, I am directed to request AHQ GAR to release the senior officer from close custody. I am also to request AHQ MS to post him out of jurisdiction.”
Ransome-Kuti was accused of dereliction of duties, which allegedly led to the capture of Baga and newly acquired weaponry by the Boko Haram terrorists.
The senior officer who was represented by the Lagos-based lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), was also alleged to have upon investigations, failed to account for the arms and ammunition under his supervision.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian army has discovered another bomb-making factory in Kumshe, Borno state.
The post Boko Haram: Army makes u-turn, demotes Gen Ransome-Kuti appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.