Falana kicks as army
commutes Gen. Ransome-Kuti’s dismissal
Lagos lawyer and counsel to Gen.
Enitan Ransome-Kuti, Femi Falana (SAN) has described as “totally unacceptable”
the demotion of his client from the rank of a Brig. Gen. to Colonel.
Falana was reacting to the decision
of the Nigerian Army Council, which confirmed Ransome-Kuti’s conviction but
commuted his sentence of dismissal from service to reduction in rank from
Brigadier General to Colonel with four years seniority with effect from October
15, 2015.
The decision on Ransome-Kuti was
published in a circular signed by Colonel O.N. Taiwo for the Chief of Army
Staff (COAS).
It reads: “A Special Court Martial
(SCM) was convened to try the above
named senior officer. He was arraigned on a three-count charge for failure to
perform Military Duties and Miscellaneous Offence Relating to Service Property.
He was tried, discharged and acquitted on count one.
“He was, however, found guilty on
count two and three. He was thus awarded dismissal from the Nigerian Army on
Count two and six months’ imprisonment on count three.
“Consequently, I am directed to
inform you that Reference B has conveyed to this Headquarters that the Army
Council in its last meeting on 22 February 2016, confirmed the conviction of
the accused senior officer on count two but commuted the sentence of dismissal
to reduction in rank from Brigadier General to Colonel with four years
seniority WEF 15 October 2015.
“The council also quashed the finding
of guilty and award of six months imprisonment awarded by the SCM on count
three and replaced same with a finding of “not guilty”. The senior officer was
thus discharged and acquitted on count three WEF 15 October 2015″.
The circular also directed the Army
Headquarter Garrison to release Ransome-Kuti from close custody, from where he
would be posted out of the jurisdiction.
However, Falana maintained that there
was no justification whatsoever to warrant the demotion of the former General.
“That is my first reaction,” he said,
‘but I am holding a meeting with my client tomorrow (today) for further
direction on the matter.”
Culled from Nations………………………….
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