Court orders Nigerian Army to reinstate dismissed captain

The National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Captain Benedict Olusoji Akanni who was compulsory retired from the Military.

Te Captain will also be awarded the sum of N75m as instructed by the court for any damages ranging from psychological trauma he may have encountered due to the illegal action taken against him by the army.

The court made the decision after setting aside his compulsory retirement, the 1st defendant through letter (ref AHQ MS/300/226) dated 22nd day of June, 2017 as illegal, null and void.

It all happened in the year 1998, November 18, the claimant, Cpt Benedict, was charged for stealing and conspiracy to steal metal panels and rolls.

However, allegation of theft was dropped, but he was disciplined by demotion on grounds of conspiracy to steal. The General court Martial, dissatisfied, went ahead to compulsorily retire him with effect from 10th April 2000.

The capt., Dissatisfied with the judgement approached the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal challenging the decision of the General Court Martial.

It was on this ground that the claimant, Capt. Benedict, approached the NIC, in case No. NICN/ABJ/125/2018, against the Nigerian Army, The Nigerian Army Council, Chief of Army Staff, Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice who were listed as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants respectively.

The President of the NIC, Justice Kanyip, who was the judge presiding the matter asked the Army to reinstate the captain with immediate effect, and the amount of N75m paid to him for damages he may have incurred as a result of the harsh decision of the Military years ago.