The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the dismissal of ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna for gross misconduct.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, recently ordered an investigation into the alleged illegal detention of the ex-naval rating by a senior officer.
The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, confirmed the development at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the ex-naval rating pleaded guilty to the charges during the hearing.
The spokesman added that Haruna was fairly tried and dismissed by a military court-martial under the provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
Gusau said the ex-Seaman with service number M5759 last served under Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA, a joint operation under DHQ.
He said: “The case involving Haruna started when he was found misbehaving during a parade at a coordinating conference of the Commanding Officer (CO), who was addressing troops preparing for operation.
“While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex-naval rating continually interrupted the address, which warranted the officer to direct him to report to the guard room.
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“The ex-seaman refused to obey the order which made the commander order his arrest. He resisted and expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the NN to prevent other soldiers from taking him into custody.
“He was tried by a General Court-Martial (GCM) from December 20, 2022 to February 7, 2023.
“Notably, the trial of Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 by GCM was based on the authority that as serving personnel, he was subject to both military and civil laws.
“Accordingly, at the conclusion of proceedings, the GCM found Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 guilty on all counts.
“Based on this, he was sentenced to a Reduction in Rate from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on Count One and Dismissal with Ignominy on Counts 2 and 3 with effect from February 7, 2023.
“Thereafter, the ex-rating was placed on open arrest at the arrival hall in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, pending confirmation of the sentences by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
“The Record of Proceedings (ROP) of the trial was forwarded to DHQ on June 27, 2023, and subsequently transmitted to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) on August 8, 2023.
“The sentences of the GCM were thereafter confirmed by the CNS with effect from September 19, 2024.”
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