A General Court Martial GCM convened at the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging and Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment, following convictions for murder and robbery respectively.
The court, which began sitting on February 18, 2025, was set up by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to handle serious cases beyond the scope of summary trials.
Delivering the judgment, the GCM President, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, said Private Mohammed was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali — an offence punishable under Section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Buhari explained that after carefully evaluating the evidence, reviewing the accused’s service record, and considering pleas for mercy, the court unanimously agreed to impose the ultimate punishment.
“In the interest of justice and societal morality, it became necessary to apply the law to its fullest extent,” Buhari stated.
Consequently, Mohammed, bearing service number 21NA/80/6365, was sentenced to death by hanging.
In a separate ruling, Private Yusuf was convicted of robbery, which occurred at a shopping mall in Enugu. He was found guilty under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act.
Buhari noted that although Yusuf’s plea for mitigation was acknowledged, the court could not reach a unanimous decision to impose the maximum sentence, resulting instead in a 10-year imprisonment verdict under Section 140(3) of the Act. Yusuf’s service number is 23NA/85/12116.
The GCM president further mentioned that both sentences remain subject to confirmation by the designated approving authority before implementation.
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhulu, reassured the public of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintaining discipline and professionalism.
He emphasized that the misconduct of a few individuals does not represent the Army’s core values, and assured that firm action would continue to be taken against any erring personnel.
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