Naval rating on trial for alleged infanticide

[MrVan]

By EVELYN  USMAN

LAGOS – The Nigerian Navy, weekend, convoked a general court martial for a rating, Moses Joseph, with service number  X11535, who allegedly threw a three-week-old baby that was abducted from his girlfriend, into  the lagoon in Apapa, Lagos,  two months ago.

The conveying order which was at the insistence of Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear- Admiral Ameen Ikioda, also charged the nine- man panel with Captain Ehibare as  its president,  with the responsibility  to conduct  a thorough trial among other expectations.

In his inaugural speech, Captain Ehibare noted that: "The expectations on this assignment are high,  considering the wild publicity in the media. But  we shall carry out our different responsibilities with the seriousness and expertise it demand.

"There shall be strict adherence to time and we shall abide by the rules of the law and fair hearing,  so that justice will not only be done but seen to be done. This court is at  par with the high court of Nigeria and, therefore, we will do justice to all parties."

The accused was marched into the court by a Naval police, where the charges were read to him.

But further hearing in  the case was adjourned till April 23, as the defence counsel's Sub- Lieutenant R.Oyinbo begged the court to give him time  to read the circumstantial report and other documents which he claimed were served to him the previous day.

Vanguard Nigeria