Army jails Fela’s nephew, Gen Ransome-Kuti

A Brigadier General, Enitan Ransome-Kuti who is son of late Human Rights activist, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and nephew to the late afro beat king, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been sentenced by the Nigerian Army to six months in prison.

Brig Gen. Ransome-Kuti who had been arraigned before a military court, sitting in Mogadishu Barracks, Abuja, in May, was blamed for the loss of Baga in Borno State to Boko Haram insurgents in January.

He was accused of cowardly behaviour, loss of weapons to Boko Haram, and negligent performance of military duty under section 62b of the Armed Forces Act.

The court In its judgment delivered on Thursday dismissed the charge of cowardly behavior against him, following a no-case submission by the defendant.

Read also: Fela’s nephew, Gen. Kuti, 29 others to face court martial (See list)

The court said the officer was right in withdrawing his troops in the face of superior firepower from Boko Haram terrorists, but sentenced him to six-month imprisonment for loss of equipment to the extremist sect.

Ransome-Kuti, who was represented by Femi Falana at trial, was also found guilty for negligently performing his duties and was therefore dismissed from service.

Ransome-Kuti, his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel G.A. Suru, and some other senior officers, were arrested for failing to repel Boko Haram attack on the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force [MNJTF] in Baga in January.

He was the commander of the multinational force during the attack.

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