Acclaimed Boko Haram Leader’s Video Still Under Scrutiny – Military

Posted by African Examiner African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, October 3rd, 2014

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen

Following the release Thursday of another video clip showing the alleged leader of Boko Haram insurgents, Abubakar Shekau, debunking his alleged killing last week Wednesday, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has confirmed it has received and still watching the counter claims footage.

The confirmation was contained in a post on the DHQ website which hinted from the “immediate observation, the video did not indicate when it was shot and any proof “of life or currency such as screen time or date”.

It would be recalled the Director of Defence Information, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade stated at a press conference mid last week, that Shekau has been killed during fire exchanges with the military. Olukolade also confirmed that Shekau’s replica and acclaimed insurgents’ leader – an eccentric character with multiple names, Bashir Muhammed, has also been killed late last month by the soldiers in Konduga community, Borno state.

In a related development, the court Martial trying 97 soldiers for various mutiny offences has been formally inaugurated in Abuja with the President, Brigadier Gen. Musa Yusuf, assuring the suspected at the Army Headquarters Garrison Conference Room that the court martial would ensure a strict adherence to the principle of fair hearing and justice, in hearing and ruling of their cases.

The charges pressed against the officers according to Gen. Yusuf included: mutiny, assault, absence without leave, housebreaking, conduct prejudicial to good orders and service discipline and service property related offences.

Other members of the Court Martial are: Colonels Rabe Abubakar, Mohammed Ibrahim, Umar Mohammed, Godwin Ugwueze, Jonathan Gontor, B.R. Abimiku and Col. M.M. Bunza.

The awaiting members include: Lt. Col. Ukpe Ukpe, while an Assistant Director (Legal Services) at the Army Headquarters, Garrison was announced as the Judge Advocate.

The Military court also announced its Prosecuting Officers as Captains. J. A. Orumor, Roseline Agwai, JE Nwosu, WF David, V.L. William, Lt. A.M. Sani, Lt. N. Okorie and LCPl Chukwu Prince-Augustine.

Hearing of the cases of the suspected soldiers has been adjourned till Wednesday, October 15, 2014.