THE recent sentencing of 27 soldiers to life imprisonment by a military court martial sitting in Akure has been described as "unfortunate, demoralising, painful and a disingenuous way of instilling discipline in the military".
Speaking to Vanguard in a telephone chat, member representing the Warri Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, stated that as a moral philosopher by training, he saw the sentencing of the soldiers as an action that would "eternally remain morally vacuous, un-exemplary, tragic and bereft of all known logic of rational thought patterns and justice."
The lawmaker said "mutiny for which these gallant men of the armed forces were convicted is symptomatic of greater contradictions that have afflicted all facets of the Nigerian society."
He noted that from report available to him, "these jailed soldiers were protesting the non-payment of allowances due them after successful completion of their United Nations assignments. This allegation has not yet been refuted."
The inescapable question in the view of Reyenieju is "what had happened to the cash meant for the settlement of the allowances due these soldiers. The military authority is morally bound to tell the public what must have happened to the monies due these soldiers.
"Could it be that the United Nations never remitted the full amount to the Nigerian authorities for disbursement to these soldiers? These are pertinent questions that cry for answers."
Reyenieju contended that 'history' would eternally be uncharitable to such structures and officials of the military, who by their actions, precipitated this sad situation whereby the 'weak' are now victims of, accused and jailed; while the powerful ones who actually precipitated the crisis remain scot-free as prosecutors.
"What we now have is that after successfully completing the United Nations assignments, and enviably representing Nigeria in such critical international assignment, the reward these brave soldiers got from their country is life imprisonment; a very painful phenomenon," Reyenieju said.
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I was surprised that the soldiers were sentenced to life imprisonment for demanding for their rights, instead of bringing those that stole their salaries to judgment. Many of the thieves that are stealing the country's money and resources are enjoying their freedom and even stealing more, it is the innocent people that are suffering. Everything is politicized, honesty and rule of law is an illusion. I hope the respected lawyers and good citizen will help to secure the release of these innocent victims from their corrupt leaders and political, dishonest judgment. May God save us in Nigeria. God Bless Nigeria
I READ WITH HEAVY HEART ABOUT THOSE SOLDIERS THAT WERE SENTENCE TO LIVE IMPRISONMENT FOR DEMANDING THEIR RIGHT.I HOPE THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE LAWMAKER WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY SO THAT THE PRESIDENCY WILL REVISIT THE CASE.THERE IS NO WHERE IN THE WORLD THAT THIS WILL EVER HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO BUT THEIR LIVES AT STAKE TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY ONLY TO BE REWARDED WITH PRISON TERMS.FOR GOD SAVE THESE SOLDIERS NEED THEIR FREEDOM.
I am not surprised at the life sentences meted out to these 27 soldiers for protesting the theft of thier allowances by the same authority (the Nigerian Army) that pass the judgements. This action is symptomatic of the all nigerian state institutions, from the presidency down to the local governments and everything in between. The government of nigeria, do not care for or respect the Peoples of Nigeria, in whose name it claim to govern. Therefore, the government of nigeria is a fraud and illegitimate. The people need to stand up to these fraudsters and take their country back. Until then, we will continue to witness incident like this. Freedom from tyranny and oppression will not be free.