A Special Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri on Wednesday dismissed Cpl. Aliyu Yakubu from service for defiling a 13-year-old girl.
Delivering judgment, the court sitting at 7 Division General Court Martial in Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the President of the court, Brig.Gen. Arikpo Ekubi, also sentenced Yakubu to five years imprisonment.
The court sentenced the convict after listening to five witnesses on the two counts charge of defilement and assault.
“This honourable court finds you, Corporal Aliyu Yakubu guilty of the offences of defilement and assault contrary to sections 78 and 104 sub section 2a of Armed Forces Act respectively.
“The offence offends the tenet of military regimentation and profession which are synonymous with discipline and law-abiding personnel.
“You betrayed the trust and confidence reposed in you by the Nigerian Army to ensure dignity and respect to the citizens you are employed to protect.
“Your action is an affront to the present leadership of the Nigerian Army which thrive on respect for human right and professional responsiveness in the discharge of its constitutional role.
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“You failed to protect the rights of the vulnerable. This amounts to taking us back to the ages of darkness and barbarism at a time the Nigerian Army is sparing no effort at safeguarding the lives of women and children in line with global best practices.
“This court takes it upon itself to ensure that your action which goes contrary to current best practice is punished accordingly,” the court ruled.
Ekubi, who announced five years for the first count of defilement and dismissal for the second count of assault after counsel to the convict, Mr. Babagana Zanna pleaded for leniency for the convict, however said that sentences are subject to confirmation by the authorities.
The convict, who had served the military for 11 years, on July 1, 2018 at about 7a.m in Bama town defiled the 13-year-old girl in an uncompleted building after rendering her unconscious.
NAN
