Nigerian Army Receives Report On 2015 Polls

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, January 11, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army board of enquiry into the 2015 general elections in Ekiti and Osun has submitted its final report to the Chief of Army Staff.

The setting up of the board of enquiry was sequel to petitions and allegations of unprofessional and partisan conducts of some officers and soldiers during the 2015 gubernatorial elections in the affected states.

Submitting the report at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, chairman of the Board, Adeniyi Oyebade, a major general and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, said the Board placed advertorials in the media requesting for memoranda from the public before they commenced sitting.

In all, he said 23 officers and over 100 soldiers appeared before it as well as 62 civilians.

According to Oyebade, the Board had made far-reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future.

He further added that two officers were recommended for compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army, three were to lose their command and one was recommended for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.

Other recommendations include placing 15 officers on watch list, nine officers were to be further investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations levelled against them.

While six officers were to face an audit committee and 62 officers (mostly of the rank of majors below) were to be given Letters of Displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counselling.

Oyebade however commended an officer, Captain Sagir Koli for non-partisanship and professional conduct during the election period.

In his remarks while receiving the report, the Chief of Army Staff, TY Buratai, thanked the Board for a thorough and dispassionate job devoid of influence from any quarters.

He expressed delight that the Board, knowing the gravity and implication of their report on the careers of officers and impact on the Nigerian Army, discharged their assignment diligently and professionally.

He assured them that the report would be reviewed accordingly, in line with Nigerian Army's legal and administrative procedures.

Story by David Oputah