EXCLUSIVE: Newly married Nigerian army officer in trouble for posting wedding video on social media
A Nigerian army officer has run into trouble for posting a video clip of his wedding on social media.
The Nigerian military has been urged to punish E. Ali, a lieutenant, along with 13 other officers who attended the wedding, for allegedly flouting army traditions at the event.
In an internal memo dated October 28, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, military police said officers violated Army traditions regarding the use of social media, dress and etiquette regarding the military wedding.
Military Police said an investigation found officers breached the Nigerian Army's code of ethics during the incident. He also charged them with "disobedience to standing order" and recommended penalties for the alleged infractions.
The note was signed by NH Longpoe, a military police lieutenant colonel, and was received by the Nigerian army on November 7.
According to the memo, the groom posted video clips of the wedding on a WhatsApp group page that he shares with classmates.
The memo did not state the names of the other officers involved, or when or where the wedding took place.
“Lt E Ali (N/18406) should be charged with disobeying standing order punishable under AFA CAP A20 LFN Section 57(1): 2004 for violating paragraph 11 ( g) DHQ's policy on the use of Social Media for 2018 FN posting their wedding video clips on the D$SC Course 25 WhatsApp forum,” the memo reads.
“An EE Ukhabi and 12 others will also be disciplined for participating in the formal hand salute and push-ups in honor of the bride at the wedding ceremony of Lt and Mrs. E All in violation of paragraph 46 of NA Traditions, Customs, and Ethics 2005.”
Mr. Lomgpoe further stated that Ukhabi and some officers mentioned earlier will be punished for appearing in "NA No 1 Dress without a ceremonial jacket".
This, according to the military, violated paragraph 38 of the 2005 NA Dress Regulations.
The memo, however, did not indicate the nature of the punitive measures it sought against the officers.
According to the Army's "Policy on the Use of Social Media for the Armed Forces of Nigeria", the Army considers certain actions as punishable offences.
“Disregarding rules and regulations governing weddings by posting compromising photos and videos taken in uniform before, during and after wedding ceremonies,” the document reads.
This is not the first time that military officers have gotten in trouble for breaking the traditions of the Nigerian military. In 2018, 149 staff members were disciplined for uploading their photos to social media.
Asked by PREMIUM TIMES to comment on the matter, a human rights lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said there was nothing strange in the latest developments, but advised the forces armies to reconsider their rules to reflect the digital age.
Mr. Ogunye said the public must realize that the military is a "regimented force" and that the conduct of its members is governed by the Armed Forces Act and regulations made under the law.
"To that extent, the constitutional right and freedom enjoyed by Nigerians as a whole are also available to the men and officers of the armed forces, but these rights are limited," he said.
p>"These rights are circumscribed by virtue of the fact that these men and officers have voluntarily taken up the uniforms and subscribed...
A Nigerian army officer has run into trouble for posting a video clip of his wedding on social media.
The Nigerian military has been urged to punish E. Ali, a lieutenant, along with 13 other officers who attended the wedding, for allegedly flouting army traditions at the event.
In an internal memo dated October 28, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, military police said officers violated Army traditions regarding the use of social media, dress and etiquette regarding the military wedding.
Military Police said an investigation found officers breached the Nigerian Army's code of ethics during the incident. He also charged them with "disobedience to standing order" and recommended penalties for the alleged infractions.
The note was signed by NH Longpoe, a military police lieutenant colonel, and was received by the Nigerian army on November 7.
According to the memo, the groom posted video clips of the wedding on a WhatsApp group page that he shares with classmates.
The memo did not state the names of the other officers involved, or when or where the wedding took place.
“Lt E Ali (N/18406) should be charged with disobeying standing order punishable under AFA CAP A20 LFN Section 57(1): 2004 for violating paragraph 11 ( g) DHQ's policy on the use of Social Media for 2018 FN posting their wedding video clips on the D$SC Course 25 WhatsApp forum,” the memo reads.
“An EE Ukhabi and 12 others will also be disciplined for participating in the formal hand salute and push-ups in honor of the bride at the wedding ceremony of Lt and Mrs. E All in violation of paragraph 46 of NA Traditions, Customs, and Ethics 2005.”
Mr. Lomgpoe further stated that Ukhabi and some officers mentioned earlier will be punished for appearing in "NA No 1 Dress without a ceremonial jacket".
This, according to the military, violated paragraph 38 of the 2005 NA Dress Regulations.
The memo, however, did not indicate the nature of the punitive measures it sought against the officers.
According to the Army's "Policy on the Use of Social Media for the Armed Forces of Nigeria", the Army considers certain actions as punishable offences.
“Disregarding rules and regulations governing weddings by posting compromising photos and videos taken in uniform before, during and after wedding ceremonies,” the document reads.
This is not the first time that military officers have gotten in trouble for breaking the traditions of the Nigerian military. In 2018, 149 staff members were disciplined for uploading their photos to social media.
Asked by PREMIUM TIMES to comment on the matter, a human rights lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said there was nothing strange in the latest developments, but advised the forces armies to reconsider their rules to reflect the digital age.
Mr. Ogunye said the public must realize that the military is a "regimented force" and that the conduct of its members is governed by the Armed Forces Act and regulations made under the law.
"To that extent, the constitutional right and freedom enjoyed by Nigerians as a whole are also available to the men and officers of the armed forces, but these rights are limited," he said.
p>"These rights are circumscribed by virtue of the fact that these men and officers have voluntarily taken up the uniforms and subscribed...
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