A General Court-Martial sitting at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu State has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Hauwa Ali.
The verdict was delivered by Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, who presided over the 11-member panel. The court found Mohammed guilty of murder under Section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act, 2004.
In a statement released Tuesday by the acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 82 Division, Jonah Unuakhalu, the court also sentenced Private Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years in prison for armed robbery. Yusuf was convicted of robbing a shopping centre in Enugu.
Brigadier General Buhari noted that the court had carefully considered Mohammed’s service record and plea for leniency but ultimately upheld justice and public order.
“The General Court-Martial has sentenced 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the offence of murder,” Buhari announced.
Regarding Yusuf’s case, the court found the soldier guilty under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act but was unable to reach the unanimous agreement necessary to apply the maximum penalty. Instead, based on Section 140(3) of the Act, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
“The GCM, invoking Section 140 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, hereby sentences 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf to a 10-year prison term,” Buhari stated.
The court president reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s strict stance against criminal acts, stressing its commitment to discipline, accountability, and the rule of law.
He added that both sentences are subject to approval by higher military authorities before they can be finalized.
