B’Haram: Court Martial lets Commander off the hook

Among a total of 579 officers and soldiers being prosecuted for offences bordering on professional misconduct and indiscipline in the Armed Forces, the brigade commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola, Adamawa State, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, is the first to be acquitted.

Ebhaleme, who was on Thursday freed by a general court martial holding at the 9 brigade officer’s mess, Ikeja cantonment, was accused of failing to ensure that support weapons approved for units under his brigade were collected.

He was arraigned on a lone count charge of negligent performance of military duty under section 62b of the Armed Forces Act, but a military source told Premium Times that available evidence in court showed that there was no such approval for the weapons.

The colonel was arraigned alongside 21 other officers including a Brigadier-General, J.O Komolafe, on January 19.

The investigating officer of the case against Mr. Ebhaleme told the court that the brigade commander was never indicted during the entire investigation.

Following this, the colonel’s counsel, Femi Oyebanji, a retired Major, representing the Falana and Falana chambers, made a no case submission at the close of the prosecution, noting, that essential elements to prove the charge was not established, he therefore urged the court to discharge and acquit the officer.

The General Court Martial headed by S. D Aliyu, a Major General, upheld a no case submission and subsequently discharged and acquitted Mr. Ebhaleme.

Also, a different general court martial convened to try a Brigadier General, Enitan Ransome Kuti, and four other senior officers, blamed for the loss of Baga in Borno State, to Boko Haram insurgents in January, is expected to resume sitting Thursday.

The court adjourned May 4 due to some issues raised during its inauguration.

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