Court Martial sentences soldier to death by hanging for killing girlfriend

A General Court Martial (GCM) convened at the Headquarters of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend. In a separate case, Private Abubakar Yusuf received a 10-year prison sentence for robbery.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the GCM was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to prosecute military personnel for offenses beyond summary trial.

Delivering judgment, the President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, announced that Private Mohammed (service number 21NA/80/6365) was found guilty of murdering Miss Hauwa Ali. The act was deemed a violation of Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“In the interest of societal decorum and justice for the deceased, the law had to be applied to its fullest,” said Brig. Gen. Buhari.

After considering the evidence, Mohammed’s service record, and a plea for leniency, the court reached a unanimous decision to impose the death sentence by hanging.

In a related ruling, the GCM found Private Abubakar Yusuf (service number 23NA/85/12116) guilty of committing robbery at a shopping mall in Enugu. While his offense fell under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act, the court did not apply the maximum penalty due to a lack of unanimous agreement among the panel members.

Instead, Brig. Gen. Buhari said Yusuf was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under Section 140(3) of the same Act, taking into account mitigating factors presented during the trial.

The GCM President clarified that both verdicts remain subject to approval by the appropriate military confirming authority.

Reacting to the judgment, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhulu, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to discipline and professional conduct.

He emphasized that the misconduct of a few does not represent the values of the Army and assured the public that the institution will continue to hold its personnel accountable.