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54 Nigerian soldiers sentenced to death for mutiny: lawyer

By AFP
Nigeria Some 59 Nigerian soldiers C face a military court in Abuja on October 15, 2014 on charges of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny over claims that they refused to fight Boko Haram militants.  By  AFPFile
DEC 17, 2014 LISTEN
Some 59 Nigerian soldiers (C) face a military court in Abuja on October 15, 2014 on charges of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny over claims that they refused to fight Boko Haram militants. By (AFP/File)

Abuja (AFP) - A Nigerian court martial on Wednesday sentenced to death 54 soldiers convicted of mutiny after they allegedly refused to deploy for an operation against Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast, their lawyer said.

"They sentenced 54 to death and acquitted five," said prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, following a verdict in the trial that began on October 15 and was conducted behind closed doors.

Military officials were not immediately available for comment.

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