Court Martial Designed to Uphold Discipline, Not Punish -CDS

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa has emphasized that the court martial system is designed to strengthen “discipline, professionalism and accountability” across Nigeria’s armed forces, not to punish, but to correct.

Musa made this statement on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of Annotation of Cases on Court Martial, a legal text co-authored by Major General Mahmood Wambai and legal practitioner Ali Omachi.

The book examines judicial rulings on military court cases and aims to clarify key issues within the military justice system.

Speaking at the event, Musa underscored the importance of the military justice framework in maintaining an effective and ethical force.

“Court martial is not meant to punish but to correct and preserve discipline in the soul of the armed forces,” he said.

He added that the process is critical in promoting “fairness and accountability while keeping our forces combat-ready and professionally responsible.”

He also praised the authors for contributing a vital academic resource that supports ongoing reforms in military law, describing their work as an important tool for both legal education and institutional integrity.

Former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, who was also present, hailed the publication as a major advancement in Nigeria’s military legal system.

He described the book as a vital link between “discipline, law, and democratic accountability,” and said it reflects a strong commitment to fairness and professionalism.

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“A fair and transparent process enforces the armed forces act and reinforces public trust that the military operates under the rule of law,” Buratai noted.

Co-author Wambai explained that the motivation behind the book was to reduce legal missteps that often result in appellate courts overturning court martial decisions.

“Many of such reversals stem from limited understanding of military law. Our aim is to provide clarity and ensure both military lawyers and appellate judges are properly guided,” he said.

Omachi added that the publication offers an in-depth review of appeal court rulings related to court martial cases, identifying legal gaps that have previously undermined military trials.

He emphasized that the book is intended as a comprehensive guide for judges, military legal personnel, and legal scholars working to uphold justice and discipline within the armed forces.