The Defence Headquarters announced on Wednesday the dismissal of a naval rating, Seaman Haruna Abbas, for disobeying orders.
Abbas’s wife, Hussaina Iliya, had publicly accused the military of unjustly detaining her husband since 2018 during an interview on a popular Abuja radio station.
She specifically alleged that Brigadier General A.S. Adamu had ordered her husband’s detention. Her claims gained widespread attention, prompting Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to initiate an investigation.
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Addressing the media, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stated that Abbas was dismissed after the Chief of Naval Staff approved the ruling of the court-martial conducted by the Defence Headquarters on September 19, 2024.
Gusau explained that Abbas faced three charges, including disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destruction of service property, all violations under Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 Laws of the Federation 2004.
He added that Abbas pleaded guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
He said, “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. “
Gusau stated that after the trial, the court found Abbas guilty and dismissed him from service, effective February 7, 2023.
He added that Abbas was placed on open arrest while awaiting the ratification of the judgment.
Gusau said, “Accordingly, after proceedings, the GCM found Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 guilty on all counts. Based on this, he was sentenced to a 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.
The former naval rating was then placed on open arrest at the arrival hall in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, awaiting the Chief of the Naval Staff’s confirmation of the sentence.
“The Record of Proceedings of the trial was forwarded to DHQ on 27 June 2023 and subsequently transmitted to Naval Headquarters on 8 August 2023. The sentences of the GCM were thereafter confirmed by the CNS with effect from September 19, 2024. “
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Gusau also dismissed claims that Abbas was tried despite having mental health issues.
He said, “On the issue of mental well-being, we have a clip here that shows medical personnel coming to testify that he has conducted checks and he is fit to stand trial. And again, we have medical certificates from Federal Medical Center, where they certify that he is fit to stand trial.
“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, you know, 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 medical attention. But all reports came back saying he is physically and mentally ready to stand trial.”
He also added that Abba’s Commander did nothing wrong to disarm him.
Gusau said, “You can disarm that person. Once you give a weapon to somebody and you don’t trust him any longer, you don’t allow him until he’s perpetrated an offence or even killed people before you now, you know, collect the weapon.
“The weapon belongs to the states. It belongs to the Armed Forces of Nigeria. You go to the armoury, you sign it, and at every point, until your commander feels he doesn’t trust you with that weapon, he can retrieve it from you. And if you refuse, he can disarm you.”
Describing how Abbas’ ordeal began, Gusau explained that the dismissed rating repeatedly interrupted his commander during an address on the parade ground.
He added that Abbas defied all orders from his commander, including the instruction to report to the guard room.
Gusau said, “Let me at this point intimate you that the case involving Ex-Seaman Abbas M5759 started when he was found misbehaving during a parade. Specifically, the ex-rating was part of the parade during a coordinating conference of the Commanding Officer when he was addressing troops of Exercise AYAM AKPATUMA preparing for the operation.
“While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex-rating 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 with the aim of preventing other soldiers from taking him into custody.
“Consequently, the investigation was conducted, and the ex-rating was recommended to be tried by court-martial. The ex-rating was eventually tried by a GCM from December 20, 2022 – February 7, 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.”
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