ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar [PHOTO CREDIT: airforce.mil.ng]

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar [PHOTO CREDIT: airforce.mil.ng]

Nigerian Air Force acquits soldier who allegedly slapped doctor

byYusuf Akinpelu
September 3, 2020
3 min read

Citing lack of proof, a summary military trial of the Nigerian Air Force has acquitted Ibrahim SA, an aircraftman, who allegedly slapped Avwebo Otoide, a Port Harcourt-based doctor, in May.

Instead, Bass MO, a flight sergeant, who headed the patrol team when Mrs Otoide was reportedly assaulted, was given a punishment of “reprimand” during the summary trial that was held on Friday.

“The personnel who were found culpable in line with the extant law were tried and were awarded punishment of reprimand, in line with the armed forces law,” the force’s publicist, Ibikunle Daramola, said Wednesday.

The River State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association also posted the information on their Twitter account.

Both Messrs Bass and Ibrahim were “charged for conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline” after some personnel of the force assaulted Mrs Otoide during the statewide COVID-19 lockdown in May.

Mrs Otoide told this newspaper at the time that she was en route to work as an essential worker when the soldiers disembarked from their vehicle, stopped and wrestled her, slapped her, smashed her phone in the process before detaining her in an isolation centre.

Her show of an identity card as a senior registrar at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital could not save her from the harassment, she said.

After the encounter, Mrs Otoide petitioned the Nigerian Air Force through the River State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association.

Following public outrage, Mr Daramola decried the incident, promising that the force would investigate it and punish the accused as due.

RelatedNews

10 countries Nigeria imported the most from in 2020 second quarter

How funds were diverted under ex-NAF chief’s watch — Witness

Nigerian Air Force loses personnel, kills 30 bandits in Zamfara — Official

NAF conducts search and rescue training for personnel on Kaduna-Abuja expressway

In the summary trial that was held last week, being the head of the team, Mr Bass was punished with a reprimand, the official said.

On the other hand, he said the case of assault levelled against Mr Ibrahim could not be proven as there was no witness to that effect.

At least three military personnel told this newspaper “reprimand” as a punishment could have a multiplier effect on the personnel concerned, being a regimented service.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

What this means for Mr Bass is that he has not been exonerated of the wrongdoing because it would be filed which might delay future entitlements due for him, a lieutenant , who pleaded anonymity, said.

Displeased

Recalling how the trial went, Mrs Otoide said she was present when Mr Bass gave his testimony but was not when Mr Ibrahim spoke.

“The head of base services was the judge, jury and executioner and when he gave his judgement he called in only Bass MO, giving Ibrahim a pass,” she said.

Mrs Otoide said she was told this was because since she had no evidence, “did not identify him by name, and have no witness, he cannot be convicted.”

She added that the head of base service ordered Mr Bass to take responsibility for repairs of her smashed phone since he was responsible for the damage.

“The Bass who damaged my phone is to take responsibility for the cost of repairs and be reprimanded as he was the team leader and obviously something happened under his watch that he claims he is unaware of,” Mrs Otoide said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I asked if a reprimand was ideal punish for a slap, he said ‘in the military such things are weightier than in civilian affairs, and that a reprimand and a letter of displeasure may cost you a promotion.'”

“He also appealed to the NMA to plead with me to drop this matter, saying they don’t want to have to discharge any of the young men from duty as they may become problems to society, therefore everyone’s problem.

“They assured them that a response to their petition and an apology will come from the Airforce headquarters.”

However, an official report is yet to be sent, she said.

But Mrs Otoide fears that “with just a reprimand” the soldiers might not give up on slapping civilians they deem rude.

For her, any punishment in the shape of “some days in real detention to a demotion” would have sufficed.

“I would have felt some concern if the men were remorseful or even apologised,” she added.

“But they denied everything and got a slap on the wrist, meaning they can do it again.”

For this, she said she is not pressing further charges.

“I am not pushing (further). I believe the apology from NAF should end things once it is issued.”

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (2)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

How Nigerian show promoters, musicians can survive in times of COVID-19 – AMAMN President

Next Post

U.S., ICC clash over sanctions on court’s officials

Yusuf Akinpelu

Yusuf Akinpelu

Yusuf Akinpelu is a PREMIUM TIMES' Head of Data Desk. Prior to this, he covered the National Assembly, and fact-checked for Dubawa. He is a graduate of Statistics from the University of Ibadan. He has a penchant for books, debates, and nature.

More News

World Health Organisation (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Copyright : WHO/Pierre Virot

Biden reverses Trump’s decision to ‘cut ties’ with WHO

January 21, 2021
Nelson Mandela

Mandela’s foundation rocked by corruption scandal

January 21, 2021
U.S president Joe Biden sworn-in. [PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter account of David Axelrod]

World leaders express optimism as Biden takes office

January 21, 2021
U.S. President, Joe Biden (Photo Credit: CBC.ca)

Joe Biden takes office as America’s President, calls for end to ‘Uncivil War’

January 21, 2021
Sample coronavirus test [PHOTO: Euronews] hospital COVID-19

17% of Nigerians don’t believe COVID-19 is real – Report

January 20, 2021
President of teh United States, Joe Biden. [PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter handle of Piers Morgan]

Biden preaches unity in inaugural address

January 20, 2021
Next Post
Trump

U.S., ICC clash over sanctions on court's officials

Mr. Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Condemns Electricity Tariff Hike

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.