The former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, has been demoted by a Court Martial in Abuja
The tribunal had on Monday found the Army general who was praised by Nigerians when a video surfaced online, showing him at the warfront fighting against Boko Haram.
Adeniyi, was found guilty of violating military social media guidelines and ordered his demotion by at least three years.
Also his aide, Private Tokunbo Obanla, who was prosecuted alongside the general, was also found guilty and sentenced to 28 days in jail with hard labour.
According to Punch, both convictions are subject to confirmation by the military authorities.
Sources revealed that, Adeniyi pleaded guilty to three-count of unlawful use of social media, and damage to service property amongst other issues.
Recall that, a video had surfaced online about eight months ago, showing Adeniyi complaining about a lack of military equipment to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
He was also seen in the video complaining 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.
Private Obanla had also, in his statement allegedly admitted to posting the video on social media in error.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi’s lawyers have said they will appeal the judgment.
