Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigerian Navy has confirmed plan to court-martial three naval ratings allegedly involved in the theft of equipment from a shipyard belonging to ex-militant, Chief Government Ekpomukpolo, aka Tompolo.
Disclosing this at a farewell parade organized by the Nigerian Naval Ship Delta (NNS Delta), in Warri, Delta State, the outgoing flag officer commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saleh Usman, noted that court marshal was part of military procedures to allow indicted personnel fair hearing.
While stating that the Navy on its part had already concluded investigations into the alleged involvement of the ratings in the crime, the need for the court marshal, he said, was to give the suspects the opportunity to defend themselves. Usman promised that, if the suspects were found guilty, they would be dismissed and handed over to the police for prosecution.
He said: “We all know that there is no institution without bad eggs. To ensure the image of the Navy is not soiled, we have instituted a martial committee to try the suspects. In the next two weeks, the court-martial will start sitting and the outcome of the trial will be made public; that I can assure you. We will not cover up anybody. We have our integrity to protect too.
“They are currently in detention now, so, if after their trial they are found guilty, we will dismiss and hand them over to the police for prosecution.”
On the forthcoming elections, he admonished officers and ratings to be of good behavior in the course of discharging their duties, urging them to shun partisan politics.
“As members of the armed forces, we must show supreme respect to our Constitution and loyalty to constituted authorities. The democratic system of government is vital for Nigeria if we aspire to be part of globalization and the attendant development. I, therefore, urge you to shun partisan politics as we approach the 2019 general election,” he said.
The police in Warri had about three weeks ago arrested three persons, including naval personnel, at the shipyard located along NPA Expressway, Warri, seized by the Federal Government and secured by the Navy.
It was learned that the naval authorities at NNS Delta had requested the custody of the ratings from the police to enable it to carry out an independent investigation into the case