A Special Army Court Martial has demoted a senior officer, Patrick Falola, from the rank of Major General to Brigadier-General, for admitting students for clinical training without permission from higher authorities.
Mr. Falola, Director,
68 Military Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, was arraigned on a two-count
charge before a court martial presided over by James Gbum, an Air Vice Marshal.
Mr. Falola admitted
international students from Espan Formation University, Cotonou, in Benin
Republic, between July and September, 2016.
Mr. Gbum, the president
of the court martial, said Mr. Falola’s conduct amounted to fraudulent use of
the armed forces’ property.
He acquitted Mr. Falola
on the charge of conduct prejudice the service, but convicted him on fraudulent
misapplication of the hospital’s property.
“This court is
compelled to award a higher punishment under sections 103 and 66 of the Armed
Forces Act Cap A 20 laws of the Federation 2004.
“The court has taken
into consideration the service record of the convicted senior officer, the
touching plea in mitigation by the defence council as well as the demeanor of
the convicted officer.
“But we have also taken
into consideration the senior officer’s seniority, rank, experience and the
regimental tradition of the armed forces.
“This
court has discharged and acquitted the convicted officer on the first charge,
on the second offence, the sentence is reduction in rank to Brigadier General,”
he said.
Mr. Gbum said the
filing and sentence were subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Army Council
which was the confirming authority.
He said the convicted
officer would maintain his rank until the council concludes the confirmation
process.
-NAN
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