Soldier Who Blasted Buratai, Buhari, To Commence Trial After Two Months

A Lance Corporal, Idakpini Martins, who in a published video which went viral, criticised the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai has been transferred from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to Sokoto State to face a court-martial.

Mr Martins had in the video criticised Tukur Buratai’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis.

The transfer was disclosed by the Soldier’s Lawyer, Tope Akinyode to news men on Saturday.

According to a senior army officer who chose to remain anonymous, the army did so because the offence was committed in Sokoto state.

The source noted also that it is likely that the proceedings of the court martial may begin today.

Mr Martin’s was arrested on June 20 after he released video online condemning Mr Buratai and President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged failure to provide adequate resources to soldiers combating Boko Haram.

He was detained in Abuja and denied access to a lawyer for a month, until a rights lawyer, Mr Akinyode, approached a Federal High Court, Abuja to file a rights violation lawsuit.

On July 22, Justice A. I. Chikere granted Mr Martins access to his lawyer and relative. He said the Nigerian Army’s action is against the fundamental human rights of citizens.

However, despite the order, the army still failed to Obey on several occasion, hence, denying Mr Martins the right to see his lawyer and families.

On Saturday, Mr Akinyode noted that the trial of  Mr Martins in a court-martial in Sokoto will commence on Monday.

He alleged that the army “is forcing a lawyer from within the military on Lance Corporal Martins in a desperate attempt to jeopardize the case and wrongly convict the detained soldier.”

“Lance Corporal Martins has been brutalized and subjected to a great deal of dehumanizing treatment. He was also denied food and has therefore developed Ulcer,” he told newsmen