The Nigerian Army may invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate nine of its officers in connection with allegations of misconduct levelled against them during the Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections and the 2015 general election.

Two other officers also face compulsory retirement, three others are expected to lose their command, while another officer could face prosecution for receiving bribes during the elections.

These were the highlights of the recommendations contained in a report of the Nigerian Army Board of Inquiry on the review of allegations of unprofessional conduct by some officers and soldiers during the 2015 general election submitted by the panel’s chairman and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade.

In a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sani Usman, the army recalled that the panel was set up after it received petitions and allegations of unprofessional and partisan conduct against some officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army during the 2015 general election and the Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections in 2014.

It said the board, after a thorough job, submitted its report  monday to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Submitting the report, Oyebade informed the army chief that the board placed advertorials in the media requesting memoranda from the public before it commenced sitting.

In all, the statement said: “Twenty-three officers and over 100 soldiers appeared before it as well as 62 civilians.”

“The board made far reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future. He (Maj-Gen. Oyebade) further added that two officers were recommended for compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army, three were to lose their command and one was recommended for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.

“Other recommendations included placing 15 officers on a watch list, nine officers were to be further investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegations levelled against them, while six officers were to face an audit committee and 62 officers (mostly of the rank of Majors and below) were to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counseling,” the statement added.

General Oyebade was reported to have thanked the army for the opportunity to serve and reiterated his board members’ willingness to serve when called upon for any other such assignments.

The board also commended Captain Sagir Koli for his “non-partisanship and professional conduct”.
Captain Koli was the army officer who blew the whistle on the unprofessional conduct of his colleagues during the Ekiti governorship election.

He also acknowledged the support and cooperation they received from the police and other security agencies, as well as the general public.

In his remarks while receiving the report, General Buratai thanked the board for a thorough and dispassionate job devoid of influence from any quarters.

He expressed delight that the board, knowing the gravity and implication of its report on the careers of officers and impact on the Nigerian Army, discharged their assignment diligently and professionally.

He assured them that the report would be reviewed accordingly, in line with the Nigerian Army’s legal and administrative procedures.
The army chief also enjoined members of the board to share the knowledge acquired in the course of their assignment with their colleagues for the benefit of the Nigerian Army and the nation.

He further assured his audience that the army would continue to remain professional and apolitical in the discharge of its responsibilities

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