Court-Martial Convicts, Demotes Army General Over Viral Complaint Video

Following the viral video made by Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi complaining about the lack of military equipment to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, a court martial has convicted and demoted him.

It was gathered that Adeniyi who pleaded guilty to the charges was found guilty of violating the military social media guidelines and was demoted by three years.

Adeniyi’s aide, Private Tokunbo Obanla, who was prosecuted alongside the general, was also found guilty and sentenced to 28 days in jail with hard labour.

Both convictions are subject to confirmation by the military authorities.

Sources said Adeniyi pleaded guilty to three-count of unlawful use of social media, and damage to service property amongst other issues.

Adeniyi complained in the viral video eight months ago that insurgents were outgunning troops, noting that intelligence failure was responsible for an attack by insurgents that claimed dozens of soldiers.

Embarrassed by the revelations, the major-general was removed from the front and also suspended by the military authorities.

The Nigerian Army subsequently filed charges of military social media guideline violations against him.

Adeniyi had denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not leak the video, adding that his phone was in Obanla’s custody at the time of the incident.

Obanla had in his statement allegedly admitted to posting the video on social media in error.
Adeniyi’s lawyers have vowed to appeal the judgment.

Source: Punch