The Nigerian Army has sentenced one of its personnel, Private Adamu Mohammed, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali.
The sentence was handed down by a General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu.
In a separate judgment, the court also sentenced another soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment for robbery.
The court, which consists of 11 members, was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to try offences that are not triable summarily within the division.
Delivering the judgment in a courtroom session, the President of the GCM, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, found Private Mohammed guilty under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“After a careful review of the evidence presented, including the soldier’s service record and plea for leniency, the panel unanimously found him guilty,” General Buhari declared.
“In the interest of justice and societal values, the law must take its full course. He is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.”
Mohammed, bearing service number 21NA/80/6365, was convicted for the murder of Hauwa Ali, an act the court described as a grave violation of military ethics and national law.
In the second case, Private Abubakar Yusuf, with service number 23NA/85/12116, was convicted of robbery committed at a mall in Enugu. He was tried under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act.
While the court acknowledged the plea for leniency in Yusuf’s case, it could not reach the unanimous agreement required for the maximum penalty. As such, it invoked Section 140(3) of the Armed Forces Act to impose a 10-year prison sentence.
“The accused soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,” General Buhari announced.
The judgments, however, are still subject to confirmation by the appropriate military authority, marking the official conclusion of the proceedings.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army emphasized its stance on discipline and accountability within its ranks.
“The Nigerian Army assures the public of its unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of ethics and conduct in service.”
“While the actions of a few do not reflect the values of the Army, swift and decisive action will always be taken to ensure accountability,” read a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu.
The Army further reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and maintaining public trust across its operations nationwide.
