The Nigerian Army Council has quashed the conviction of Brig.-Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti by a Special Court Martial and ordered his release from close custody.

Ransome-Kuti was arrested in January 2015 and tried by a special court martial for cowardice, while serving as Commander of a Joint Multinational Task Force in Baga.

A statement by Col. Aliyu Yusuf, Spokesman of the Army Headquarters Garrison, said the council confirmed the decision of the court martial but decided to review the punishment.

Yusuf said the council commuted his dismissal from the Nigerian Army to demotion from the rank of a Brigadier-General to the rank of Colonel.

He said the decision on the senior officer’s fate was taken at the last meeting of the Nigerian Army Council.

He said the Army Council quashed his conviction and award of six months imprisonment by the court martial to not guilty, discharged and acquitted.

Yusuf added that the senior officer had been released from close custody, following the decision of the council. (NAN)

•Photo shows Brig.-Gen. Ransome-Kuti.