The general court-martial sitting at the army headquarters in Abuja have sentenced three Nigerian soldiers to 10 years imprisonment after they were found guilty of manslaughter on Friday, February 7.
According to report, an Army Captain identified simply as Amosu was acquitted of the charges in the trial which spanned for three years while Akeem Oseni, Ogbemudia Osawe (both majors) and Nuhu Dogary (second lieutenant) were found guilty of torturing Collins Benjamin, a lance corporal to death.
The crime is punishable under section 105 of the Armed Forces Act 2004 by life imprisonment.
According to Premium Times report, Benjamin died after being asked to “forward roll” in a football pitch at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja on February 23, 2017.
Osawe and Dogary have been remanded in prison custody.
It was learnt that Oseni absconded after the judgement was passed. He took permission to use the toilet and later escaped.
The Nigerian police and the State Security Service have already been alerted to arrest the fleeing soldier.