One of the 60 soldiers scheduled to be tried by the Army authorities for alleged mutiny yesterday had the charges against him dropped because of ill health.

As the cort martial got underway in Abuja, the lead prosecutor, Capt. Joseph Nwosu, called the attention of the court to the fact that the 11th accused person, CPL Anthony Simon, was too sick to be arraigned. He said the list of accused had to be amended to reflect that 59 people are being arraigned for mutiny.

The court martial consequently commenced the trial of the remaining 59 soldiers for alleged criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny and for disobeying the order of their commanding officer in Maiduguri, Borno state capital on August 4, 2014 in Maiduguri.

The accused soldiers were also charged with mutiny for refusing to obey the orders of their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Timothy Opurum, of the 111 Special Forces Battalion, to take part in an operation.

The judge advocate, Lt.-Col. Ukpe Ukpe, who read the charges to them, said the operation in question was meant‎ to recapture Yelwa, Bellabulini, and Damboa in Borno State.

The 59 accused soldiers, who are being defended by the law firm of Mr. Femi Falana, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.