ARMY OFFICERS TO PAY FINE FOR TRAFFIC OFFENCE

The Nigerian Army has said Colonel K.I Yusuf and Staff Sergeant
Adeomi, who were accosted by Governor Babatunde Fashola for taking the
designated Bus Rapid Transit lane on July 17, 2012, will each pay the
mandatory fine of N25, 000.

Speaking in its behalf, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division,
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, said at a press briefing that the Nigerian
Army was not above the law.

According to Minimah, "They passed the BRT lane and it's a traffic
offence and they'll pay the fine. The fact that he has apologised to
the governor does not mean that he won't face the law. He will pay the
fine."

He warned all army personnel to obey the laws of the state and avoid
taking the BRT lane, saying  "The law was made for Lagosians and we
are part of Lagos and the Nigerian Army and the military as a whole
are law-abiding and enforcers of the laws, not outlaws. We'll conform
to the laws and obey the law and also aid civil authority in enforcing
the laws and we'll continue to help the state government in this
regard."

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army began the court martial of 11 soldiers
for various offences in Lagos on Tuesday.

President of the court martial, Brigadier-  General Edward Nze, said
the crimes the army personnel were being tried for ranged from alleged
murder to financial misappropriation.

Nze remarked that court martial was an instrument used by the Nigerian
Army to instil discipline in its men.

"The offences we are handling presently range from murder to
misappropriation of funds to being absent without leave. They'll be
charged according to the Armed Forces Act," he said.