A court-martial in Abuja has convicted the former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.
The tribunal on Monday found Gen Adeniyi guilty of violating military social media guidelines and ordered his demotion by at least three years.
In a related development, the court sentenced Gen Adeniyi’s aide, Private Tokunbo Obanla, who was prosecuted alongside the general.
Private Obanla was also found guilty and sentenced to 28 days in jail with hard labour.
It was gathered that both convictions are subject to confirmation by the military authorities.
Gen Adeniyi was said to have 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.
Embarrassed by the revelations, the major-general was removed from the front and also suspended by the military authorities.
The Nigerian Army subsequently filed charges of military social media guideline violations against him.
Adeniyi had denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not leak the video, adding that his phone was in Obanla’s custody at the time of the incident.
Obanla had in his statement allegedly admitted to posting the video on social media in error.
Adeniyi’s lawyers have vowed to appeal the judgment.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
#EndSARS: As British Parliament Hears Petition, UK Govt Says It Won’t Speculate On Sanctions
The British Parliament at the Westminster Hall held a debate on ‘e-petition 554150, relating to Nigeria and the sanctions regime’ on Monday. The government of the United Kingdom has however responded…
2023 Presidency: APC Govs’ Meeting With Jonathan Sparks Controversy
The surprise visit made on Friday night by the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja triggered a stir in the major political camps, resulting in at least four possible theories…