Officer of the Nigerian Navy (NN), Commander Babatunde Solomon Korede, with service number NN/3120 has cried out after Navy rejected his retirement request.
The officer had suffered a head and neck trauma at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2007, which has caused him health challenges.
The officer said, “After 13 years, in May 2020, a Medical Board at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) in Ojo, Lagos, diagnosed me with cervical spondylosis, severe depression, schizophrenia, paranoia, and other mental illnesses. I received psychotherapy to aid my recovery, but the NN withdrew me from treatment for a course against medical advice, worsening my condition and causing a relapse.
“In October 2020, the NN discovered two personal small arms in my possession and initiated a court martial. However, the court did not proceed as Section 28 of the Criminal Code Act exonerated me based on my medical report. Despite this, I was detained in a guardroom for 10 days. In August 2021, instead of continuing my treatment, the NN nominated me for the demanding Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna. In March 2022, I was withdrawn from the course on medical grounds and subsequently applied to retire from the NN on medical grounds.
“In August 2023, another Medical Board diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, cervical spondylosis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2017 (page 94), personnel diagnosed with PTSD are eligible to retire on medical grounds. Despite this, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, proceeded with a general court martial in September 2023.
“I pleaded not guilty, but the prosecutor struggled to prove my guilt. The President of the General Court Martial, Navy Captain MA Abdullahi, pressured me to change my plea to guilty, stating that he would punish me regardless of my guilt. He eve. Stated that he had the backing of the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Akpan. On January 12, 2024, the court found me guilty and sentenced me to six months loss of seniority, causing me to miss promotion to the rank of Commander.
“I applied for retirement on medical grounds in February 2024, but my request has not been granted. I have even sought intervention from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Navy, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel. At this point, I have only God to help me” he said.
