Mutiny: Army Commutes Death Sentences of 66 Soldiers to Imprisonment

 Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai

The Nigerian Army authorities have disclosed that 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.

This was confirmed on Saturday by the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who recalled that 71 soldiers were arraigned on several charges in joint trials.

Usman reminded that 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 five were discharged and acquitted and one was given 28 days Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL)," he explained.

However, he said, following a series of petitions, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai,  ordered a legal review of the cases.