Report reaching us at Checkout Magazine has it that one of the Majors jailed by a Court Martial sitting in Abuja on Friday over the death of a Lance Corporal, Benjamin Collins, has escaped.
Major Akeem Oseni was jailed alongside two others for his role in the torturing to death of the deceased.
It was gathered that Oseni, reportedly told court officials he was going to use the toilet before he escaped.
The Nigerian Army has already launched a manhunt for the officer and sent a signal to all its units and formations to arrest Oseni.
The army signal, which was obtained by our correspondent, stated that the police and the Department of State Services had also been informed about Oseni’s escape.
A signal issued by the Nigerian Army reads, “The GCM sitting at Army Headquarters Command Mess, Abuja, delivered a judgment on the case between the Nigerian Army versus Major A.A. Oseni, N/12127; Major O.U. Osawe, N/12004; Captain S.E. Amosu, N/13041; and Second Lieutenant N.B. Dogary, N/16390.
The accused officers were charged with manslaughter, punishable under Section 105 of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.
“Findings: Captain Amosu, N/13041, was found not guilty and was discharged and acquitted, while Majors Oseni, Osawe and 2Lt Dogary were found guilty and awarded 10 years’ imprisonment.
“However, after the pronouncement of judgement, the accused officers marched out of the court premises with Captain K.S. Chime, and proceeded to Captain J.E Akwaraonwu’s office.
“Thereafter, Major Oseni took an excuse from Captain Chime to use the toilet. At about 7pm same day, Major Oseni was nowhere to be found. A thorough search was carried out within and outside the mess’ premises, but the accused was not found.
“Meanwhile, Major Osawe and 2 Lt Dogary are currently under the Special Investigations Bureau’s custody pending further action. The Army Headquarters Garrrison has mounted a manhunt for the convicted officer. The Nigeria Police and DSS have also been contacted.”
