Ekiti, Osun Polls: Military Board submits report, seeks retirement of 2 officers

The board set up by the Nigerian Army to probe involvement of officers and soldiers in election malpractices during the governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti State, on Monday, submitted its report.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai

It will be recalled that based on petitions and allegations of unprofessional and partisan conducts of some officers and soldiers in the states last year, the Nigerian Army set up a board of inquiry.

The board submitted its report, on Monday, to the Chief of Army Staff at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Submitting the report, Chairman of the board, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, stated that the board placed advertorials in the media requesting for memoranda from the public before they commenced sitting.

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

According to him, the board 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 included placing 15 officers on watch list, nine officers were to be further investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations leveled 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.

He thanked the Nigerian Army for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the board members’ willingness to serve when called upon for any other such assignment.

In his remarks while receiving the report, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General 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.