The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria has announced the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas from the Nigerian Navy after he was found guilty of multiple charges, including disobedience to orders and resisting arrest. The decision follows a court-martial that concluded in February 2023, with the final dismissal approved on September 19, 2024.
Seaman Abbas’s wife, Hussaina Iliya, had earlier accused the military of unjustly detaining her husband since 2018. She aired her grievances on a popular radio station in Abuja, claiming that her husband had been wrongfully held and specifically accusing a senior military officer, Brigadier General A.S. Adamu, of ordering his detention. Her plea quickly went viral on social media, prompting authorities to investigate the case.
In response to the viral claims, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, addressed the situation at a press briefing, providing details of Abbas’s dismissal. He explained that Abbas was charged with disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destroying service property.
“Ex-Seaman Abbas Haruna was arraigned before the General Court Martial on three counts: disobedience to particular orders, resistance to arrest, and offences in relation to public and service property. These are violations of Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act,” Gusau stated.
During the court-martial, Abbas pleaded guilty to all charges. Based on his plea and the evidence presented, the court found him guilty and handed down a dismissal with ignominy. “The court considered the nature of the offences, his guilty plea, and his mitigation statement in arriving at its verdict,” Gusau said.
Abbas was sentenced to a reduction in rank from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman for disobedience to orders and dismissed from the Navy for the other two charges. His dismissal took effect on February 7, 2023. He was kept under open arrest while awaiting the ratification of the judgment by the Chief of Naval Staff, which was finalized on September 19, 2024.
Gusau also addressed the allegations of mental health concerns raised by Abbas’s wife, dismissing them as unfounded. He provided evidence that Abbas had been evaluated by medical professionals and deemed mentally fit to stand trial. “We have medical certificates from the Federal Medical Center that confirm he is fit to stand trial. All medical reports indicate that he is mentally stable,” Gusau clarified.
The Defence spokesman further detailed the events leading to Abbas’s arrest. According to Gusau, Abbas began behaving erratically during a parade while his Commanding Officer was addressing the troops. “He continually interrupted his commander, refused to follow orders, and was directed to report to the guard room. When he resisted arrest, he discharged 16 rounds of ammunition to prevent soldiers from taking him into custody,” Gusau recounted.
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After the incident, Abbas was detained and an investigation was conducted, leading to the court-martial. Gusau emphasized that the dismissal was lawful, stating that Abbas, as a serving military personnel, was subject to both military and civil laws.
Regarding claims that Abbas’s commander had acted improperly by disarming him, Gusau defended the decision, explaining that military commanders have the authority to disarm personnel if they feel the individual cannot be trusted with a weapon. “The weapon belongs to the Armed Forces. If a commander loses trust in a soldier, he has the right to disarm them to prevent harm,” Gusau said.
The military’s handling of the case has drawn attention due to the viral nature of Abbas’s wife’s claims. However, the Defence Headquarters has maintained that due process was followed throughout the proceedings, leading to Abbas’s eventual dismissal from the Navy.
Seaman Abbas’s dismissal brings an end to a case that has sparked public interest, with his wife’s plea for justice initially raising questions about his treatment. However, military authorities have firmly stood by their actions, citing the importance of discipline and adherence to orders within the armed forces.