A Nigerian Army General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, 3 Division, Rukuba, Plateau State, has sentenced Private Lukman Musa to death by hanging for the murder of Abdulrahman Isah, a commercial tricycle rider in Bauchi State.
Presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, the court found Musa guilty on two counts: culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The verdict followed a full trial in accordance with Law 47 of the Armed Forces Rules of Procedure, 1972.
The court heard that Musa, in collusion with one Mr. Uba, lured the victim to his apartment at the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare under the pretext of needing help to move belongings. Once inside, Musa struck the victim with a wooden object, killing him.
The body was concealed in a sack purchased by Musa, transported in the deceased’s tricycle, and later dumped in a village, while the tricycle was sold.
Delivering the judgment, Brig. Gen. Bello described Musa’s actions as “heinous, deliberate, and premeditated,” stressing that they betray the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, integrity, and protection of civilians.
Musa was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide and two years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition.
He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy, pending confirmation of the sentence by the appropriate military authority.
On the ammunition charge, the court found Musa guilty after he failed to account for four missing rounds from his service rifle. A subsequent search of his house uncovered additional ammunition hidden in a bag.
Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, told journalists that the ruling demonstrates the Army’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and criminal conduct.
“No personnel is above the law. The Army remains committed to justice, order, and professionalism,” he said.
The stepbrother of the deceased expressed gratitude to the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, and the Nigerian Army.
“This verdict has brought peace to our family,” he said.
