Soldier detained for criticising Buratai, granted bail after 7 months in detention

Nigerian army's lance corporal, Martins Idakpini, who was arrested and detained for criticising Nigerian Army's Chief of Staff, General Tukur Buratai, has been granted bail after spending 7 months in detention.

The soldier was arrested and detained in Abuja after a video which was made in June 2020 went viral. In the video, he accused Buratai of poorly managing the fight against insurgency.

Idakpini's lawyer, Tope Akinyode said a court martial sitting in Sokoto ordered his release on bail. Akinyode said in a statement issued on Thursday January 14. Read it below:

“Court martial grants bail to Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini. The court sitting in Sokoto made the order today after I argued the bail application.

“Idakpini was arrested for criticising army authorities. He's been detained for 7 months without access to his family.”

• Bodedolu Reports