The Nigerian Navy has dismissed a serving officer, one Lieutenant S.N. Obini, after he was found guilty of engaging in a “scandalous” sexual relationship with the wife of a colleague.
The officer has also been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment following his conviction by a Special Court Martial.
The verdict was confirmed by Naval Headquarters in Abuja after the Special Court Martial concluded its proceedings.
According to sources, the dismissal and prison sentence took effect from 23 November 2024, and the punishment was formally implemented on Friday, 29 August 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology Parade Ground in Sapele.
The outcome followed a detailed trial in which the Lieutenant was charged with having sexual relations with the spouse of a service personnel, conduct deemed scandalous and unbecoming of an officer, and two further counts of deceiving a witness. These charges were brought under relevant provisions of the Armed Forces Act and the Nigerian Criminal Code, and the court found him guilty on all counts.
A legal review of the trial confirmed that the officer had been properly arraigned and that due process was observed at every stage of the proceedings. The Navy Board subsequently upheld the findings of the court martial and the sanctions imposed, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to strict enforcement of discipline and professional ethics across its ranks.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, including the Navy, maintain one of the strictest disciplinary regimes in the country, with court martials serving as a central instrument for accountability.
Over the years, military courts have tried cases ranging from corruption and dereliction of duty to desertion and criminal misconduct, often resulting in dismissals, demotions, or imprisonment.
The system is designed not only to punish wrongdoing but also to preserve the integrity of the services and to deter acts that could undermine morale, trust, and operational effectiveness.
The latest ruling underscores the Navy’s longstanding position that indiscipline and breaches of professional standards will not be tolerated.
Senior defence officials have repeatedly stressed that the Armed Forces must reflect values of loyalty, honour, and accountability, particularly at a time when the military continues to play a critical role in safeguarding national security.
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