Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to reinstate the 66 soldiers whose death sentence was reversed to 10 years imprisonment.
The group said its call became necessary in view of revelations emanating from the trial of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
In a statement issued yesterday by national publicity secretary of CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the group called on President Buhari “to use his prerogative power to graciously pardon and reinstate the ‘Soldier Mutineers’ as per the war against Boko Haram insurgents; for the Dasuki-Gate has vindicated them.”
While saluting the Chief of Army Staff for review of the sentences as announced by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the CNPP said: “In addition to the review of some of the sentences by the Chief of Army Staff, we still appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief to, as a matter of urgent national importance, pardon and reinstate the mutinous soldiers.
“Our appeal is anchored on the premise that they were starved of equipment as evidenced by their pleadings in the court martial – that they were ill-equipped. Indeed, the only charge proved against them at the trial was that they had the temerity to ask for equipment to combat insurgency.
“Fortunately, or unfortunately, the reasons for the sordid scenario of dearth of equipment, which led to the mutiny, is clearly gazetted by Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), erstwhile National Security Adviser and his colleagues.
“CNPP believes it is Dasuki and his colleagues, who engaged in accumulation and unpatriotic diversion of arms fund to private pockets, that the Federal Government should urgently try for criminal conspiracy, murder and subversion of the Nigerian state. Their trial is not just minor trial for money laundering and other quasi charges, but treason.”
