CDS Musa Hails Buratai, Yahaya as Mentors, Vows to Build on Their Legacy
CDS Musa Hails Buratai, Yahaya as Mentors, Vows to Build on Their Legacy
By Matthew Eloyi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has paid glowing tribute to two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), and Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), describing them as mentors whose professionalism, discipline, and leadership profoundly shaped his military career.
Gen. Musa made the remarks on Thursday at the launch of a new book, “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial”, co-authored by Maj.-Gen. Mahmood Umaru Wambai and Mr Ali Ibrahim Omachi, held at the Army Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Defence Chief, who was the Special Guest of Honour, spoke passionately about the influence of the two former Army chiefs, crediting them for their roles in his rise to the pinnacle of military leadership.
“I am standing here today as the Chief of Defence Staff because of two individuals who made positive impacts in my life,” Musa said.
“My first contact with Gen. Buratai was when I was a Colonel. During his time as COAS, we used to wonder if he ever slept because even if you called or texted him in the middle of the night, he would respond immediately. He was disciplined, dedicated, and professional. I look up to him every day,” he added.
He also commended Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya for his commitment to professionalism and continuity in military leadership, adding that both men laid the foundation upon which the current Armed Forces continue to build.
“Their examples remind us that leadership in the military is about service, sacrifice, and mentorship. I will continue to build on the legacy they left behind,” he assured.
Gen. Musa further lauded the authors of “Annotation of Cases on Court Martial” for producing what he described as a scholarly and practical reference work that strengthens understanding of military law and supports ongoing reforms in the administration of justice within the Armed Forces.
He emphasised that the court martial process is not punitive but corrective — designed to uphold fairness, discipline, and accountability while preserving the professionalism of the military.
“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 noted.
Earlier, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Buratai, who chaired the occasion, commended the authors for their commitment to military jurisprudence, describing the book as a landmark addition to Nigeria’s legal and military scholarship.
In his welcome address, Maj.-Gen. Wambai, co-author of the book, said the publication was motivated by a desire to correct misconceptions and procedural errors that have often led appellate courts to overturn court martial decisions.
The event drew top military officers, members of the legal community, scholars, and representatives of professional bodies, who hailed the publication as a timely and authoritative contribution to the advancement of military law in Nigeria.
