Death sentences passed on 66 Nigerian soldiers for mutiny, other charges, reduced to 10 years imprisonment each

The death sentences by firing squad passed on
66 soldiers in January and March 2015 by
separate General Court Martials have been
commuted to 10 years imprisonment each. A
statement released on Saturday, December 19, by
the Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel
Sani Kukasheka Usman reads;
"It will be recalled that 71 soldiers were arraigned
on several charges in joint trials. The soldiers
were arraigned on several count charges that
include Criminal Conspiracy, Conspiracy to
commit mutiny, Mutiny, Attempt to Commit an
Offence (Murder), Disobedience to Particular
Orders, Insubordinate Behaviour and False
Accusation, amongst others.
They were tried, discharged on some charges but
found guilty and convicted on other charges
which included mutiny. Out of the number, 66
were found guilty on some of the count charges
and sentenced to death, while 5 were discharged
and acquitted and 1 was given 28 days
Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL).
However, following series of petitions, the Chief
of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu
Buratai, ordered a legal review of the cases. The
directive was carried out to examine the merit of
each case. It was on the basis of the review and
recommendations that the Chief of Army Staff
commuted the death sentences of the 66 soldiers
to 10 years jail term. The sentences are to run
concurrently.
The cases of other soldiers are being reviewed
and will be made public once the appropriate
reviews are completed.