A General Court Martial of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sentenced Aircraftman Bernard Kalu to death by hanging for the murder of his fellow officer and romantic partner, Corporal Solape Oladipupo.
The incident occurred on March 12, 2017, at the Corporal and Below Quarters, Compound 9, Air Force Base in Makurdi, Benue State. Kalu, then 21 years old, broke into Corporal Oladipupo’s apartment in the early hours of the morning, acting on suspicion of infidelity. He fatally shot her in the neck at close range.
Kalu then attempted to shoot another man he found inside the apartment, but his rifle reportedly jammed, allowing the man to overpower and disarm him.
The Judge Advocate, Flight Lieutenant M.A. Umoh, brought forward an eight-count charge against Kalu, which included murder, attempted murder, housebreaking, disobedience of standing orders, loss of service property, failure to perform military duty, and conduct prejudicial to service discipline.
Although Kalu pleaded not guilty to all charges, the prosecution presented 13 witnesses, while the defence called three, including the accused. His defence team argued that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and appealed for leniency, noting that Kalu was a first-time offender and the primary breadwinner for his family.
However, Group Captain Elisha Bindul, President of the Court, found Kalu guilty on six of the eight charges. He sentenced the aircraftman to death by hanging, a sentence that now awaits confirmation by the appropriate military authorities.
The case has stirred conversations around mental health, conduct, and discipline within the armed forces, especially as it pertains to domestic issues and romantic entanglements among military personnel.
