By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Wednesday, announced the outright dismissal of a Naval Rating personnel, Seaman Abbas Haruna for alleged “Disobedience to Particular Orders, Resistance to Arrest and Offences in Relation to Public and Service Property.
The souse of the Naval Rating, Seaman Abbas had blew the lid on Human Rights Radio Brekete Family programme how her husband was locked up in a cell for 6 years without judgement. She also revealed how she became mentally unstable, sick and deprived medicines, a story which drew widespread condemnation from public opinion.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau explained his dismissal while briefing Journalist in Abuja.
According to him the ex-seaman was dismissed after the Chief of Naval Staff ratified the General Court Martial instituted by the Defence Headquarters.
According to General Gusua “The case involving Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 started when he was found misbehaving during a parade, this is against his wife’s claim passed on Abbas’s friend account that his ordeal started when he went to do Muslim prayers during a long break at a parade ground.
Specifically, the ex-rating was part of the parade during a coordinating conference of the Commanding Officer (CO), when he was addressing troops of Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA preparing for operation.
“While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex-seaman continually interrupted the address which warranted the CO to direct him to report to the guard room.
“However, the rating refused to obey the order. Thus, the CO directed his arrest but the ex-rating resisted and expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the NN to prevent other soldiers from taking him into custody.
“Consequently, an investigation was conducted and the ex-rating was recommended to be tried by court-martial.
The ex-rating was eventually tried by a General Court Martial (GCM) from 20 December 2022–7 February 2023.
“Notably, the trial of Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 by GCM was based on the authority that as serving personnel, he was subject to both military and civil laws.
“Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 was arraigned before the GCM on 3 counts charge of Disobedience to Particular Orders, Resistance to Arrest and Offences in Relation to Public and Service Property contrary to Sections 56 (1), 86 (1) and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act (AFA) Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation (LFN) 2004, respectively.
“At the trial, the GCM deliberated on the testimonies of the prosecution and Defence witnesses as well as the exhibits tendered by the prosecution surrounding the circumstances of the case. It is important to note that the ex-rating pleaded guilty to all the charges during the trial.
“The GCM therefore, considered the nature of the offence committed by the ex rating, his plea of guilty and plea in mitigation of punishment as well as the legal advice of the Judge Advocate in arriving at its verdict.
“Accordingly, at the conclusion of proceedings, the GCM found Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 guilty on all counts. Based on this, he was sentenced to Reduction in Rate from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on Count One and Dismissal with Ignominy on Counts 2 and 3 with effect from 7 February 2023.
“Thereafter, 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 the Naval Staff (CNS).
The Record of Proceedings (ROP) of the trial was forwarded to DHQ on 27 June 2023 and subsequently transmitted to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) on 8 August 2023. The sentences of the GCM were thereafter confirmed by the Chief of Naval Staff with effect from 19 September 2024.”
However, the DDI explained that contrary to information on social media, ex-seaman Haruna was mentally stable before the trial.
According to him, “He has been going in and out of hospital, but all the hospitals he attended show that he is mentally fit to stand trial. In fact, because of his in and out of hospital, that’s why the first court-martial was dissolved, to give him enough time so that he can go and seek for medical attention. But all reports came back saying he is physically and mentally ready to stand trial.”
Meanwhile dismissed without an income, Human Rights Radio Abuja has commenced crowd funding from the public to help the ex Naval Rating to rebuild his life afresh with his family.
