Soldier Who Criticized Buhari, Buratai Released After 7 Months In Detention

A military court martial in Sokoto State has granted bail to a lance corporal, Idakpini Martins, seven months after he was detained.

Martin’s lawyer, Tope Akinyode, who confirmed the development on Thursday said that his client last year published a video that criticised President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai on their handling of the Boko Haram crisis in the Northeast.

Martin alleged that the duo failed to provide adequate resources to soldiers fighting Boko Haram. Following the video, he was arrested and detained in Abuja.

He was not allowed to have legal representation for a month until Mr Akinyode, a rights lawyer, approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, to file a rights violation lawsuit.

It could be recalled that Premium Times on July 22, 2020, reported how Justice A. I. Chikere granted Mr Martins access to his lawyer and relative. He said the Nigerian Army’s action was against the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Despite the court order, the army did not allow him to see his family and the matter was later transferred to Sokoto State where he was to face the court martial at the city where he committed the alleged offence.

However, the court sitting in Sokoto granted him bail.