Army Court Sentences Soldier to Death for Murder, Another to 10 Years for Robbery

A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for murder, and Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years’ imprisonment for robbery.

The sentences were announced by the division’s spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, after the GCM found both soldiers guilty of serious offences committed while serving under the Nigerian Army.

The court, comprising 11 members, was inaugurated by Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, on February 18, 2025, to try personnel accused of grave misconduct.

Delivering judgment, President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, said Private Adamu Mohammed was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali, an offence punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004. Despite pleas for leniency, the court ruled that the full weight of the law must be applied to uphold justice.

“The accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Brigadier General Buhari declared.

In a related ruling, the GCM sentenced Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years’ imprisonment for robbery committed at a mall in Enugu. Although the court did not reach a unanimous verdict for a maximum sentence, it found the accused guilty under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, and sentenced him under Section 140(3) of the same act.

“The accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment,” the court stated.

The GCM emphasized that both sentences are subject to confirmation by the appropriate military authority.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of discipline, ethics, and professionalism, stressing that individual misconduct does not reflect the values of the institution.