Amnesty For Soldiers Jailed For Life

://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6199/nkawor.I read in The Guardian newspaper, of Saturday 20th June 2009, a disturbing story about some soldiers given life sentences for mutinous activity. The story highlighted the particular case of Esther Nwakor. A dismissal from the army would have sufficed as appropriate for this crime. As long as nobody physically harmed or threatened by the said mutinous activity by the soldiers, a life sentence is gross injustice....Read the full article.

[saemoenl]

I feel for you. what a country Nigeria?

[Anioma777]

The more I hear about the Akure-27 the more I am convinced that we are creations of the devil. Such self hate and unprecendented wickedness to one another is legendary.

Well I hope something will be done to review their case at worst dismiss them from the army and let them get on with their lives. What a disgrace stealing money meant for men nad women who risked their lives abroad.

[Bannister]

Ours indeed is a strange country. Some group of soldiers who protested (they called it mutiny) against the non - payment of their allowances are sentenced to life imprisonment whereas those, in the garb of politicians, who stole billions, and deserved to either be tied to stakes and shot or dispatched to Bama prison, were asked to plea bargain and given light jail sentences. Funny, very funny.

[S. Njokede]

Yar´Adua´s Concentration Camp:

Any country run by barbarians and barons suchlike the PDP outlaws, is bound to have gross inhumanity. The lower cadre people must stand up to the barons by hook or crook to overthrow them and free themselves from the yoke poured on them daily. Nowhere in history that class struggle has been worn by the kind of complacency that is now second nature to ordinary Nigerians. The barbarians in Aso Rock, Abuja and the 36-states should be chased away from powership in order for life, liberty and enjoyment of all to be guaranteed. The powers-that-be wont give away their comfort zones without a hard fight.

How come corruption heavies in Nigeria are having swell time while juniour soldiers who protested to have what belong to them should rot in jail for life?

Modesty forbid that these injustices trend on longer than necessary in Nigeria! Lower cadre army people should usurp this government via coup and free their jailed comrades from Yaradua´s concentration camp. Enough of Yaradua´s madness!

www.punchbadleaders@yahoo.com

[S. Njokede]

Yar´Adua´s Concentration Camp:

Any country run by barbarians and barons suchlike the PDP outlaws, is bound to have gross inhumanity. The lower cadre people must stand up to the barons by hook or crook to overthrow them and free themselves from the yoke poured on them daily. Nowhere in history that class struggle has been worn by the kind of complacency that is now second nature to ordinary Nigerians. The barbarians in Aso Rock, Abuja and the 36-states should be chased away from powership in order for life, liberty and enjoyment of all to be guaranteed. The powers-that-be wont give away their comfort zones without a hard fight.

How come corruption heavies in Nigeria are having swell time while juniour soldiers who protested to have what belong to them should rot in jail for life?

Modesty forbid that these injustices trend on longer than necessary in Nigeria! Lower cadre army people should usurp this government via coup and free their jailed comrades from Yaradua´s concentration camp. Enough of Yaradua´s madness!

www.punchbadleaders@yahoo.com

[akuluouno]

Villagers,

I have said it before and let me repeat it now, these young men and women were misled into carrying out this treasonable felony. Soldiering is not scouting or picnicking.
Overtime in Nigeria, we have reduced institutions that make for civilisation to anything but what they ought to be. In 9ja, it is only the military and not football that holds the country together ( Aku's theory especially towards those who argue that it is football) and should incidents such as the one that led to the life jail for these young men and women, be allowed to fester, then it is bye bye to Nigeria and all the crude and gas in Niger Delta which is the basis for our petropatriotism and disealnationalism ab initio

[I Love Nigeria]

What is a responsible military to do? Enforce discipline, order and cohesion. That is right, that is how it should be.

Having said that: How is it though, that Nigerian elite who have been and are still ruining our country never get tried, jailed for life, court-marshalled, beheaded, executed and burned?

Why these severest of punishments for these young soldiers? (Yes, I know the law is the law and it is blind) And the military is strict etc

But when was the last time anyone was strict in Nigeria with Ibrahim Babangida or the former governor of Edo state Lucky Igbinedion or Orji Kalu, or Joshua Chibi Dariye, etc?

These soldier committed mutiny and or treasonable felony OK, but 80% of the former governors of Nigeria's thirty-six states were to face trial as soon as they vacated office in 2007 upon losing their so-called immunity aka impunity!

Why is the brutalities of laws in Nigeria always reserved for the weakest among our citizenry?

[I Love Nigeria]

We Nigerians know all the imperfections of our present way of life at the same time we want justice applied equally to every one irrespective of rank and standing in society. As much as the army wants to send a message out to the force, the army should strive and stand for fairness. The humanity in us is not being kind when things are rosey, but from those acts we make in perilous times.

One of the many tragedies of Nigeria today is how we waste lives of young people. Given my limited knowledge of the whole case I hope a campaign for an amnesty is justifiable.-Muhammed Bashiru (PhD

The above comments encapsulates my feelings in this matter... the brutalities which our society seem to reserve for our poor and less fortunate.. the vehemence with which laws are enforced to the letter when the poor are the ones who have violated the laws or committed infractions against it

It is said that the measure of a good society, a society which demonstrates human refinement... is indicative and illustrated .... ultimately, be how such society treat the poorest and most vulnerable of her citizens

[pappilo]

Some people are dumb sha! I am sorry but that is the first thing that came to my mind when I read some of the replies. Because it is the military then people should work for free abi? If that was he case then the Nigeria Army can decide to stop paying its soldiers and officers in a cost cutting measure and since it is treason to complain about an not getting paid in the military, they will all continue working for free!

I dont blame the military authorities at all. I blame the individuals who naively believed in the completely failed project called Nigeria and enlisted in the rag-tag Army. Maybe they didnt even believe in Nigeria at all, it is more than likely that 99% of them enlisted in order to escape crippling poverty. If they had been allowed to choose between joining the Nigerian (rag-tag) Army and the Army of a developed western country, we all know (except you want to fool yourself) which they would have chosen.

Diseased bloody country! good riddance! Phew

[I Love Nigeria]

Hmmmm?

But, now, what can we do? Can we perhaps petition the National Assembly and the President YarAdua to grant clemency/pardon?

A life sentence is just too egregious! (What the Americans call cruel and inhuman punishment) It is surely disproportionate... matched with the crime.

Seriously, there is something we can do.

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

A life sentence is just too egregious! (What the Americans call cruel and inhuman punishment) It is surely disproportionate... matched with the crime.

*Shakes head*

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

Hmmmm?

But, now, what can we do? Can we perhaps petition the National Assembly and the President YarAdua to grant clemency/pardon

I hope you remember to tell this to the "petitioning" masses when Yarudua comes back with that your "One Nigeria" mandate as president in 2011?

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

What is a responsible military to do? Enforce discipline, order and cohesion. That is right, that is how it should be.

Aaaaaaaaaaar you serious? What kind of a responsible military in this world owes it's soldiers for over 6 months after going to Liberia on behalf of their country? See places like the US does not even want to publish half the atrocities committed by it's soldiers in Iraq and all over the world, just to protect their soldiers.

I guess you and the 'responsible' Nigerian FMG would have preferred they died in Liberia, so their entitlements would keep going to the 'Oga's pockets and their surviving family members look the other way? Just as many other soldiers and their beneficiaries have never seen a dime of their entitlements to this day?

You are a real puzzle. I always look forward to reading from you.

[N.A.R.]

[QUOTE=I Love Nigeria;365335]Hmmmm?

But, now, what can we do? Can we perhaps petition the National Assembly and the President YarAdua to grant clemency/pardon?

A life sentence is just too egregious! (What the Americans call cruel and inhuman punishment) It is surely disproportionate... matched with the crime.

Seriously, there is something we can do.[/QUOTE]

Finally,
The real question that needs to be asked. Any answer? Can we get a Nigerian Lawyer to look into this and give advise on what can be done legally? Tonsoyo, DaBishop, Kenn, anything? Kenn shoud love this one But seriously this is not a laughing matter.

[I Love Nigeria]

simbli I think you are deliberately obfuscating and conflating the issues.

Boiled, it is as simple as two. Two competing arguments.

1. The need to keep cohesion and order in any military... so the rigmarole of deterrence

2. What is justice in the face of overwhelming deprivations?

Two competing/conflicting arguments.

You can legitimately argue that mutiny is illegal behavior by those in uniform/military

And simultaneously argue that owing or depriving employees of salaries is immoral and wrong

These, simbli, are not mutually exclusive argumentations!

[I Love Nigeria]

N.A.R, Thank you!

This is really the only issue left in this matter.
Nigerians must not allow these young lives to rot in jail, especially after serving out country at home and abroad.

Even Liberia and Sierra Leone, where our forces have served to bring peace and stability, should be informed and invited to get involved in removing these service-persons from the prospect of a wasted life in jail

We can do something, we have shown the will and results, in other similar matters. NVS is my witness.

[Gbolly]

This is a shame in the highest form. For a person to lay down his/her life for the beloved country and locked up in the dungeon for asking to be paid for the work done. Ha, this is devil. This explains why soldiers and other officers live on bribes. I am speechless. God help us!

[10Kobo]

CAN SOME WITH A DICCO DEFINE "MUTINY" FOR ME, before l pen my response to this EVIL?
Yeeepa, Not in my life time!!

I hate to speak out of ignorance!


10Kobo

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

simbli

1. The need to keep cohesion and order in any military... so the rigmarole of deterrence

2. What is justice in the face of overwhelming deprivations?

Two competing/conflicting arguments.

You can legitimately argue that mutiny is illegal behavior by those in uniform/military

And simultaneously argue that owing or depriving employees of salaries is immoral and wrong

These, simbli, are not mutually exclusive argumentations!

Thank you my brother.

Go in peace. Please carry on with your 'symposiums'.


*Shakes head*

[person]

The military is not a democracy in any country. Just like the Catholic church is not a democracy. Soldiers get what they signed up for. Sympathy is fine for these soldiers but let's all agree first that the soldiers got what they signed up for when they joined the army.

[Igboamaeze]

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No one serves his/her full time in Nigeria in high profile and political matters. They'll not serve 1/5th of the term even if we do nothing.

Mark my word...