The death sentence passed on 12 soldiers by a military tribunal over their alleged in mutiny is generating mixed reactions amongst Nigerians.
The military court presided over by Maj. Gen. C.C. Okonkwo found 13 out of the 18 soldiers standing trial for mutiny and other offences guilty.
Twelve of the convicted soldiers were sentenced to death, five were discharged and acquitted while one was jailed for 28 days with hard labour.
The soldiers had on May 14, 2014 allegedly fired shots at the General Officer Commanding the newly created 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mohammmed, in Maiduguri. The act is viewed in the military as mutiny.
The soldiers were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mutiny, attempt to commit murder (shooting of the vehicle of the GOC); insubordination to a particular order; insubordination and false accusation.
