Ransome-Kuti Quashed Conviction: Respect Extant Laws, Group Urges Army Council

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, March 4th, 2016

By Eric Ojo, Abuja

Following the Army Council’s ruling on setting aside the conviction of Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has urged the council and the entire hierarchy of the Nigerian military to be more conscious and respectful of the provisions of the law in order to prevent a re-occurrence in the future.

Brigadier General Ransome-Kuti, former Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), was arrested in January of 2015 with other senior officers of the Nigerian army. They were arrested for failing to repel the terrorist attack on the headquarters of the MNJTF and consequently, blamed for the loss of Baga.

On October 15 2015, a special court martial confirmed that Brigadier General Ransome-Kuti had been tried on a 3 count charge; cowardly behavior, failing to perform military duties and miscellaneous offences relating to service property.

While the first charge was struck out, he was found guilty on the second and third. He was sentenced to six months in prison and also dismissed from the Nigerian army.

The group, in statement issued on Friday, said the decision of the council to quash the conviction of Ransome-Kuti and it recommended reduction in his rank from Brigadier General to Colonel of the Nigerian army and that he be reabsorbed into the army was a welcomed development.

LEDAP therefore commends the army council for finally springing into action on the matter and preventing further abuse of the law, adding that according to section 148 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the findings of a court martial are subject to confirmation by the appropriate confirming authorities.

“In addition to this, section 160 of the Act says that the convicted individual is entitled to apply to be released pending the appeal to the confirming authority or appropriate superior authority.

“However, the authorities of the Nigerian army refused to release Brigadier General Ransome Kuti pending the confirmation of his sentence and determination of his appeal”, the group added.

LEDAP further explained that Ransome-Kuti spent months in detention before being convicted, and also served the six months term of imprisonment without confirmation by the appropriate authorities.

“All of the above were in flagrant violation of sections 148 and 160 of the Armed Forces Act and also section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which gives every citizen the fundamental right of liberty. The incarceration of Brigadier General Ransome-Kuti was unlawful and was in contravention of all laid down rules and procedures”, the group stressed.

LEDAP is a public interest non-profit organisation with registered mandate to protect human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria. It has membership across Nigeria, observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and is the West African Focal point for the Coalition on Effective African Court on Human and People’s Rights.

The group also the chair of Human Rights Agenda Network Nigeria, and heads the Nigerian Coalition on the International Criminal Court (NCICC).