Social Media Offence: Adeniyi Can Wear 2-Star Army General Badge Until Conviction is Affirmed

Social Media Offence: Adeniyi Can Wear 2-Star Army General Badge Until Conviction is Affirmed

Until the military council affirms the verdict of a general court-martial, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, the immediate-past Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, in the North East, would continue wearing his current rank of a two-star army general.

Adeniyi, PRNigeria reports, was on Monday convicted and subsequently demoted by a court-martial in Abuja, which found him guilty of allegedly violating the military’s social media guidelines. The court ordered his demotion by at least three years.

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.

The Major General was subsequently removed from the ‘war’ front, and also suspended by the military authorities.

The tribunal had, while handing down its judgment on Monday, said the order was subject to confirmation by the military council.

However, the decision of the military high command on the judgment may take some time, a top army officer, who will not disclose his identity, told PRNigeria.

Gen. 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.

By PRNigeria