Military discharges seaman detained for 6 years
The military high command has announced the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas, who had reportedly been detained for nearly six years.
His release follows claims by his wife, Hussaina Iliya, on a popular Abuja radio station that he was unjustly detained since 2018 due to an alleged attempt to disarm him.
Following the viral claims made by Hussaina Iliya, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, ordered an investigation into the case of Seaman Haruna Abbas.
During a press briefing at Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Director of Defence Information Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau announced that Haruna had been dismissed from the military. This dismissal came after the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, ratified the judgment of a court-martial convened by the Defence Headquarters on September 19, 2024.
Gusau explained that Abbas faced three charges: disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destruction of service property, which are violations of Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, Laws of the Federation 2004. Abbas pleaded guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
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“Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 was arraigned before the General Court Martial (GCM) on three counts of disobedience to particular orders, resistance to arrest, and offenses related to public and service property,” Gusau stated.
He added that the GCM considered testimonies from prosecution and defense witnesses, along with exhibits presented during the trial. The court ultimately found Abbas guilty and dismissed him, effective February 7, 2023. He was also placed on open arrest pending the ratification of the judgment.
“After proceedings, the GCM found Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 guilty on all counts. As a result, he was sentenced to a reduction in rank from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on Count One and dismissal with ignominy on Counts Two and Three, effective February 7, 2023,” Gusau concluded.
“Afterward, the ex-rating was placed on open arrest at the arrival hall in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, pending confirmation of the sentences by the Chief of Naval Staff.
“The Record of Proceedings from the trial was forwarded to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on June 27, 2023, and subsequently transmitted to Naval Headquarters on August 8, 2023. The sentences of the General Court Martial (GCM) were confirmed by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) effective September 19, 2024.”
Gusau dismissed claims that Abbas was tried despite having mental health issues.
He stated, “Regarding his mental well-being, we have a clip showing medical personnel testifying that he underwent checks and is fit to stand trial. Additionally, we have medical certificates from the Federal Medical Center confirming that he is fit to stand trial.
“While he has been in and out of the hospital, all the facilities he attended indicate that he is mentally fit for trial. In fact, due to his medical visits, the initial court-martial was dissolved to allow him sufficient time to seek medical attention.”
“But all reports indicated that he is physically and mentally ready to stand trial,” he added, stating that Abbas’s commander did nothing wrong in disarming him.
He explained, “You can disarm that person. Once you give a weapon to someone and you no longer trust them, you don’t wait for them to commit an offense or harm others before you retrieve the weapon.
“The weapon belongs to the state. It belongs to the Armed Forces of Nigeria. You go to the armory, you sign for it, and at any time, if your commander feels he can no longer trust you with that weapon, he can take it back. If you refuse, he has the authority to disarm you.”
Describing how Abbas’s ordeal began, Gusau said the dismissed rating repeatedly interrupted his commander while he was addressing them on the parade ground. He added that Abbas disobeyed all orders given to him by his commander, including one instructing him to report to the guardroom.
Gusau stated, “Let me inform you that the case involving Ex-Seaman Abbas M5759 began when he was found misbehaving during a parade.
“Specifically, the ex-rating was part of the parade during a coordinating conference when the Commanding Officer was addressing the troops of Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA, preparing for the operation.
“While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex-rating continually interrupted him, prompting the CO to direct him to report to the guardroom. However, the rating refused to obey the order.
“As a result, the CO ordered his arrest, but the ex-rating resisted and fired 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the Navy in an attempt to prevent other soldiers from taking him into custody.
“Consequently, an investigation was conducted, and the ex-rating was recommended for trial by court-martial. He was ultimately tried by a General Court Martial (GCM) from December 20, 2022, to February 7, 2023.
“Notably, the trial of Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 by the GCM was conducted under the authority that, as a serving personnel, he was subject to both military and civil laws.”
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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