A Court Martial in Abuja has convicted the former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi.
The tribunal on Monday found Adeniyi guilty of violating military social media guidelines and ordered his demotion by at least 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.
The verdict came eight months after a video of Adeniyi complaining about a lack of military equipment to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East went viral.
He also complained that insurgents were outgunning troops, noting that intelligence failure was responsible for an attack by insurgents that claimed dozens of soldiers.
Everyday.ng reports that last April, the Nigerian Army clarified the redeployment of the former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, whose posting generated mixed feelings.
In a viral video Adeniyi seemed to be blaming the inadequate supply of weapons and spare parts for the inability of his soldiers to adequately take on insurgents in the theatre of war.
In another video, he seemed to be acting helpless in the presence of his subordinates. At another point, he appeared to be pleading with junior officers and soldiers to do what was required of them.
Two of the videos were shot as soldiers were writhing in pain all around him, apparently after an onslaught from insurgents. Many had lambasted the military high command on the social media for leaving troops at the mercy of a rag-tag army like Boko Haram.
His posting, according to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. John Enenche, was based on administrative procedure.
Enenche told journalists then that the routine procedure of the services – the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy on any given appointment is to be swiftly redeployed after three months.
He added that General Adeniyi was the Theatre Commander for a year or thereabouts and strength of mind and spirit are well commended.
The Information Coordinator stressed that the Nigerian Military considers his intelligence, doggedness, and resourcefulness hence his redeployment to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
While recalling his own experiences, Enenche said he was the Director, Liason Officer to National Assembly in January 2017 and was redeployed as Director Defence Information by March of the same year.
He added that he was removed as DDI and was posted to Army War College as Commandant by December, 2017.
In his words, “Posting is a regular process in the services once you’ve attained the rank of General.”
▪︎ Additional report by The Punch