The Defence Headquarters announced the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas from the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday, citing disobedience to orders.
Recall that Abbas’s wife, Hussaina Iliya, had gone on a popular Abuja radio station, claiming the military unjustly detained her husband since 2018.
Iliya specifically accused Brigadier General A.S. Adamu of ordering her husband’s detention. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle subsequently ordered an investigation.
Addressing journalists, Director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau explained that Abbas faced a court-martial on three charges: disobeying orders, resisting arrest, and destroying service property. These offences contravene Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation 2004.
Gusau stated, “Ex Seaman Abbas Haruna M5759 was arraigned before the GCM on 3 counts charge of Disobedience to Particular Orders, Resistance to Arrest and Offences in Relation to Public and Service Property contrary to Sections 56 (1), 86 (1) and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act (AFA) Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation (LFN) 2004, respectively.”
During the trial, Abbas pleaded guilty to all charges. The court-martial considered the nature of the offense, his guilty plea, and the legal advice of the Judge Advocate in arriving at its verdict.
Gusau added, “The GCM deliberated on the testimonies of the prosecution and Defence witnesses as well as the exhibits tendered by the prosecution surrounding the circumstances of the case.”
The court found Abbas guilty and dismissed him from service effective February 7, 2023.
He was placed on open arrest pending the ratification of the judgment, which occurred on September 19, 2024.
Gusau clarified, “On the issue of mental well-being, we have a clip here that shows medical personnel coming to testify that he has conducted checks and he is fit to stand trial.”
Regarding Abbas’s commander disarming him, Gusau stated, “You can disarm that person. Once you give a weapon to somebody and you don’t trust him any longer, you don’t allow him until he’s perpetrated an offense or even killed people before you now, you know, collect the weapon.”
The incident began when Abbas interrupted his commander during a parade, disobeying orders to report to the guard room and resisting arrest.
Gusau explained that the case involving Ex-Seaman Abbas M5759 started when he was found misbehaving during a parade.
He said,“While the CO was addressing the troops, the ex-rating continually interrupted the address, which warranted the CO to direct him to report to the guard room. However, the rating refused to obey the order. Thus, the CO directed his arrest, but the ex-rating resisted and expended 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition belonging to the NN with the aim of preventing other soldiers from taking him into custody.”
