Nigerian Army set to court-martial soldier who criticized Buhari and Buratai

TRACKING__ The stage seems set for the court-martial of Lance Corporal Idakpini Martins, the Nigerian soldier who criticized President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, for not equipping Nigerian soldiers with adequate ammunition to combat the Boko-Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s North-east.

Daily Times had earlier reported that Idakpini was arrested in June 2020 after he published a video criticizing the Nigerian government and Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Burutai, for the inability of the army to squarely tackle the Boko Haram terrorists.

In a notice on Monday titled “Amendment Number 6”, army authorities officially announced its readiness to court-martial.

The notice reads in part, “Amendment Number 6. To the covening order for the general court-martial onvened by Brigadier General A. Bande (N/8554) Psc, TSCN, NNI, Bsc, (HO), MIAD, Acting General Officer, Commanding, 8th Division Nigerian Army Pursuant to S 131 (2) (d) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap 820 LFN 2004.

“Further to reference A-G, the further convening authority has authorised the following amendments.

“(A) GCM awaiting member. Maj. I Akbuanwara (N/11493) is to replace Maj. OO Oni (N/12578) as GCM awaiting member.

“(B) Accused persons – include; 11NA/66/8655 Lance Corporal Idakpini Martins, 13NA/70/7733 Lance Corporal Inusa and 17NA/76/3646 Private Abubakar Abdullahi on the list of accused persons in paragraph of reference.

TrackNews Online had also reported that Idakpini has been held incomunicado by the Nigerian Army, who have refused him access to his lawyer nor any form of visitation since his arrest.

On July 22, 2020, an Abuja Federal High Court ordered the army to grant Idakpini immediate access to his lawyer and family after human rights lawyer, Mr Tope Akinyode, argued an exparte.

Justice A.I Chikere said it constituted a continuous breach of Idakpini’s fundamental human rights to be denied access to legal representation and his family.

In spite of the court order, Akinyode, who serves as the National President of Revolutionary Lawyers’ Forum, said all efforts to meet with his client was blocked by the Nigerian army.

Akinyode said, “We wrote the AGF and Chief of Army Staff to notify them of the court order. I also called the AGF on phone and he assured me the court order would be obeyed. But myself and Lance Corporal Martins’ wife visited the army headquarters thrice to see my client but we were blocked.”

Akinyode vowed to resist the highhandedness of the Nigerian army, saying that the refusal of the Nigerian Government to obey court orders continues to ridicule Nigeria among the comity of nations.