Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has clarified that the purpose of court martial proceedings in the Nigerian Armed Forces is not punitive, but rather corrective — aimed at reinforcing discipline, professionalism, and accountability within military ranks.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the unveiling of a new legal reference work, “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial”, co-authored by Major General Mahmood Wambai and Ali Omachi, Esq., the CDS emphasized that the military justice system is structured to balance fairness with the demands of national defence.
> “Court martial is not meant to punish but to correct and preserve discipline in the soul of the armed forces,” Gen. Musa stated.
“Its objective is to ensure fairness and accountability while keeping our forces combat-ready and professionally responsible.”
He described the book as a significant contribution to the military legal community, saying it would support ongoing reforms and enhance understanding of military jurisprudence.
Also present at the event, former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd.), praised the authors for their scholarly contribution to Nigeria’s growing body of military legal literature.
> “The court martial system remains the bedrock of military discipline and professionalism,” Buratai said.
“A fair and transparent process enforces the Armed Forces Act and reinforces public trust that the military operates under the rule of law.”
He added that the book helps bridge the often-overlooked connection between discipline, law, and democratic accountability. Buratai also referenced landmark cases like Eweka v. Nigerian Army and Gideon Uweri v. Nigerian Army, describing them as pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s military legal framework.
In his remarks, co-author Maj.-Gen. Wambai explained that the motivation behind the book was to address widespread misconceptions and legal technicalities that have led appellate courts to overturn court martial verdicts.
> “Many of such reversals stem from limited understanding of military law. Our aim is to provide clarity and ensure both military lawyers and appellate judges are properly guided,” he said.
Wambai stressed that a properly understood and applied court martial system not only strengthens discipline but also safeguards the integrity of the armed forces.
Legal co-author, Ali Omachi, added that the book serves as a detailed guide for military legal practitioners, appellate judges, and scholars. According to him, the work critically examines appeal court rulings on military trials and proposes reforms to enhance the credibility and efficiency of the system.
> “The essence of this work is to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of court martial law,” Omachi explained.
“We analysed several judgments and proposed reforms that can make the system more credible and efficient.”
The public presentation of the book brought together top military brass, legal experts, and academics, all of whom acknowledged the critical role of a fair and transparent military justice system in maintaining professionalism and upholding the rule of law within the armed forces.
NAN
