The Nigerian Army has refuted allegations of ethnic bias in the ongoing trial of soldiers before a Court Martial in 82 Division, Enugu.
Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, addressed the issue in a statement released on Saturday, rebuffing claims of preferential treatment based on regional affiliations.
Responding to media reports suggesting a deliberate effort to convict soldiers of Southern extraction while absolving those from Northern Nigeria, Nwachukwu emphasized the Army’s status as a national institution, not an ethnic militia. He denounced the misleading reports, which he said aimed to sow discord within the ranks and tarnish the reputation of the army’s leadership.
Highlighting the composition of the Court Martial, Nwachukwu clarified that it was diverse, with members drawn from various regions of the country. He revealed that the President of the Court hailed from the North, while the Judge Advocate was from the South. Additionally, 60 percent of the court martial members were of Southern extraction, demonstrating a fair and balanced representation.
Nwachukwu stressed that the court martial’s decisions were based solely on evidence presented during the trial, irrespective of the defendants’ ethnic or religious backgrounds. He cited the case of Pte. Usman Shonva, where evidence indicated multiple soldiers fired their weapons at the scene, leading to his discharge and acquittal.
“The Nigerian Army does not task its personnel on a regional basis in order to achieve national spread,” Nwachukwu asserted, emphasizing the army’s commitment to justice, equity, and discipline within its ranks.
The Army spokesman urged the public to disregard the false reports and refrain from spreading misinformation that could sow disaffection among army personnel and security services. He reiterated the army’s dedication to treating all personnel fairly and in accordance with the law.
