The Nigerian Army has announced that the death sentence passed on 66 soldiers convicted of serious offences, including mutiny, have been commuted to 10 years imprisonment each following a review of the cases ordered by army chief, Yusuf Buratai, a Lieutenant General.

In a statement issued by Sani Usman, the army spokesperson, the conversion of the death sentenced followed several petitions.

In January and March this year, 71 soldiers faced different General Court Marshalls which tried them for offences that included criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny, attempt to commit an offence (murder), disobedience to particular orders, insubordinate behaviour and false accusation, amongst others.

While 66 were found guilty on some of the charges and sentenced to death by firing squad, five were discharged and acquitted and one given 28 days prison sentence with hard labour.

“The directive (to review the cases) was carried out to examine the merit of each case. It was on the basis of the review and recommendations that the Chief of Army Staff commuted the death sentences of the 66 soldiers to 10 years jail term. The sentences are to run concurrently,” the statement read, adding that other soldiers’ cases were still being reviewed and would be made public once concluded.