A Nigerian Army General Court Martial sitting in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, 3 Division Rukuba, Plateau state on Thursday sentenced Lukman Musa, a private to death by hanging for the murder of Abdulrahman Isah a commercial tricycle rider, in Bauchi State.
Presided over by Liafis Bello, a Brigadier General, the court found the soldier guilty on a two-count charge of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The verdict followed a full trial in accordance with law 47 of the Armed Forces Rules of Procedure, 1972.
The court heard how Musa, in connivance with one Mr Uba, lured the victim to his apartment at the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare under the pretext of needing help to move his belongings. Once inside, the soldier struck the victim with a wooden object and killed him.
According to the court, the body was concealed in a sack purchased earlier by Musa and was transported in the deceased tricycle. The corpse was later dumped in a village, kilometers away while the tricycle was sold off.
Delivering the judgement, Bello described the soldier’s actions as “heinous, deliberate, and premeditated,” stressing that such conduct is a betrayal of the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, integrity, and protection of civilians.
The court sentenced Musa to death by hanging for culpable homicide and two years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition. He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy, subject to confirmation of the sentence by the appropriate military authority.
On the second count, the court found Musa guilty of unlawful possession of ammunition after he failed to account for four missing rounds from his service rifle. A subsequent search of his house uncovered additional ammunition hidden in a bag.
Speaking to Journalists after the Judgement, Aminu Mairuwa, a major and Acting Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division said the ruling reflects the Nigerian Army’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and criminal conduct. “This is a clear demonstration that no personnel is above the law. The Army remains committed to justice, order, and professionalism,” he told journalists.
Jamilu Aliyu, the stepbrother of the deceased expressed gratitude to Folusho Oyinlola, a mojor general and General Officer Commanding 3 division and the Nigerian Army for delivering justice. “This verdict has brought peace to our family,” he said while speaking to Journalists after the judgement was announced.
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