Buratai Hails Authors of New Military Law Book, Says Fair Justice System Vital to Discipline and Democracy
Buratai Hails Authors of New Military Law Book, Says Fair Justice System Vital to Discipline and Democracy
By Matthew Eloyi
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), CFR, NAM, has commended the authors of a new legal publication, “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial”, describing it as a landmark contribution to the development of military jurisprudence in Nigeria.
Buratai gave the commendation on Thursday at the official launch of the book, co-authored by Maj. Gen. Mahmood Umaru Wambai (mni) and Ali lbrahim Omachi, Esq., held at the Army Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
Buratai, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said the book represents a “vital addition” to military legal literature and a testament to the authors’ deep commitment to military law and justice.
“I witnessed General Wambai’s dedication firsthand as my Director of Legal Services (Army), where his expertise was crucial in maintaining discipline that directly enhanced our operational effectiveness,” Buratai noted.
The former Army Chief traced the evolution of Nigeria’s court martial system from its British roots to its present democratic context, saying it has developed in tandem with the nation’s own political history. He emphasised that while military discipline remains paramount, it must now coexist with constitutional rights and judicial oversight.
“The imperative for military discipline must now be balanced with the constitutional rights of personnel and the scrutiny of civilian appellate courts,” he said.
Citing landmark judgments such as E.O. Eweka v. The Nigerian Army and Gideon Uweri v. The Nigerian Army, Buratai explained that these cases have defined the boundaries of military justice, ensuring fairness and protecting personnel from undue prosecution for civil offences.
According to him, “a fair and just military justice system is the bedrock of disciplined armed forces and a stable democracy.”
He stressed that transparent court martial processes not only uphold discipline within the armed forces but also reinforce public trust and civilian oversight, key pillars of democratic governance.
Buratai also commended the Nigerian Body of Benchers, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Council of Legal Education for their support in strengthening military justice, recalling his collaborative engagements with them during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions of former NBA President Austin Alegeh, SAN, and the current Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma, SAN.
Speaking further, Buratai said the launch of “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial” marks a significant milestone in military legal scholarship, providing “an incisive commentary and critique of the law” and serving as a guide for legal practitioners, commanders, and judges.
He lauded the current leadership of the Armed Forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. C.G. Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.O. Oluyede, for their professionalism, commitment to welfare, and operational effectiveness.
Concluding his remarks, Buratai urged participants and members of the public to acquire copies of the book, saying it would “undoubtedly enrich any legal or military library.”
“Do not hesitate to place your orders,” he urged with a smile, drawing applause from the audience.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, said the essence of Court Martial is not punitive but corrective, aimed at strengthening discipline, professionalism and accountability within the Armed Forces.
He said the military justice system was designed to uphold fairness while maintaining the discipline required for effective national defence.
The CDS stressed that the court martial process remained an indispensable instrument for enforcing service laws.
“Court martial is not meant to punish but to correct and preserve discipline in the soul of the armed forces.
“Its objective is to ensure fairness and accountability while keeping our forces combat-ready and professionally responsible,” he said.
Musa commended the authors for producing a scholarly reference that deepened understanding of military law and supported ongoing reforms in the armed forces’ justice administration.
He also commended Buratai for his professionalism, hard work and dedication to service during his tenure as COAS, describing him as a worthy mentor.
Earlier in his welcome address, the co-author, Maj.-Gen. Wambai said the book was motivated by a desire to address misconceptions and technical errors that often led to appellate courts overturning court martial decisions.
He emphasised that a well-understood court martial process safeguarded discipline and protected the integrity of the armed forces.
The event attracted senior military officers, members of the legal community, scholars, and representatives of professional bodies who hailed the publication as a timely resource in advancing the understanding and practice of military law in Nigeria.
