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Five army officers, 20 soldiers face court martial over murder in Enugu

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The Nigerian Army has established a General Court Martial (GCM) for the trial of five officers and 20 soldiers for offences ranging from murder, defilement, manslaughter, extortion and assault on civilians in Enugu State.

The personnel to be tried are within the jurisdiction of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu.

While inaugurating the court martial on Tuesday in Enugu, President of the GCM, Brig.-Gen. Buhari Sadisu, said that the court was convened by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye.

Sadisu explained that court martial was one of the instruments used in the Armed Forces to maintain discipline.

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He said, “In Court Martial, military personnel alleged to have committed offences known to laws applicable to them are tried and if found guilty, punished in accordance to the laws criminalising such offences.

“However, where the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against them, the court will discharge and acquit the accused personnel.

He promised that the court martial would be guided by the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.

“It will also be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws and procedures related to the trial.”

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The president said that the Court Martial would be free from any external influence and would afford the accused personnel adequate time and facility to defend themselves.

According to him, the court martial is fully aware of the cardinal principle of our criminal judicial system that an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proven.

“Under our criminal justice system, it is better for 99 guilty persons to be set free than for one innocent person to be convicted.

Sadisu assured them that the Court Martial would strive to do justice in their cases by ensuring that evidence presented before the court were judiciously and fairly evaluated.

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“This is to avoid a situation where an innocent person is made to suffer unjustly,” he said.

Some regular court lawyers within Enugu also appeared for some of the accused personnel.

(NAN)

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Tension in Ondo community as herdsman dies in clash with vigilance group

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There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.

Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.

Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.

It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.

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A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.

The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.

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Armed herdsmen kill Benue traditional ruler

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The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.

The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.

They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.

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Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.

He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.

The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.

“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.

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“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”

The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.

“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.

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Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.

The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.

Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.

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He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.

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