On Friday, February 7, three Nigerian soldiers were convicted of manslaughter by a general court-martial at the army headquarters in Abuja. Subsequently, they were handed 10-year prison terms.
During the three-year trial, an Army Captain known only as Amosu was acquitted while majors Akeem Oseni and Ogbemudia Osawe, along with second lieutenant Nuhu Dogary, were found guilty of fatally injuring lance corporal Collins Benjamin. This offense is punishable by life imprisonment under section 105 of the Armed Forces Act 2004.
According to Premium Times, Benjamin passed away after being instructed to “forward roll” on a football pitch at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja on February 23, 2017.
Osawe and Dogary have been detained in prison custody. It was also reported that Oseni fled after being granted permission to use the toilet following the verdict. Authorities have alerted the Nigerian police and the State Security Service to arrest the absconding soldier.