Olayiwola Matthew
The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentencing of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General Umar Mohammed, for stealing and misappropriating funds belonging to the company.
In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial (Nigerian Army) and the validity of its verdict.
The former senior officer was earlier tried and convicted by the court martial on October 10, 2023, for offences bordering on stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
Following the conviction, Mohammed was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, sentenced to imprisonment and ordered to refund $2,099,700 and N1.65 billion to the company.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mohammed approached the appellate court on Feb. 12, 2025, in suit No. CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, arguing that his conviction was not supported by sufficient and credible evidence.
However, the three-member panel of justices, Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang, and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, dismissed the appeal, ruling that the evidence presented during the court martial clearly established the offences.
According to the certified judgement issued on Monday, the court held that the Special Court Martial was right to reject the former general’s defence, describing it as inconsistent and unreliable.
The court noted contradictions in Mohammed’s testimony, particularly his claim that Nigerian Army Properties Limited never operated berthing services, which contradicted documentary records authored by him indicating otherwise.
The justices ruled that the inconsistencies undermined his credibility.
The appellate court consequently affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed by the Special Court Martial on all counts except those relating to forgery.
Recall that in August 2025, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos State also ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth over N5 billion traced to Mohammed and a businessman, Kayode Filani.
