The Defence Headquarters has announced the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas from the Nigerian Navy for disobeying lawful military orders.
At a news conference in Abuja, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stated that Abbas was dismissed after the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, ratified the judgement of a court martial convened by the Defence Headquarters on September 19, 2024.
General Gusau explained that Haruna was charged with three offenses: disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destruction of service property, in violation of Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, Laws of the Federation 2004.
During the court martial, Haruna pleaded guilty to all charges. “The court carefully considered the testimonies of both prosecution and defense witnesses, as well as the evidence presented. Based on the ex-rating’s guilty plea and his mitigation plea, the court arrived at its verdict,” Gusau said.
The court found Haruna guilty on all counts. He was demoted from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on the first count and dismissed from service with dishonor on the second and third counts, effective from February 7, 2023. He was placed under open arrest pending the ratification of the court’s decision.