Ex-Maj. Gen. Mohammed Heads to Supreme Court Over N1.65bn and $2.09m Fraud Allegations
Retired Major General Umaru Mohammed, the former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), has formally approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria to challenge his conviction and sentence for alleged fraud involving N1.65 billion and $2.09 million. This legal move follows a significant judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal on February 9, 2026, which unanimously upheld the decision of a Special Court Martial that had previously found the senior military officer guilty of offences related to theft and criminal misappropriation of company funds.
Court of Appeal Upholds Special Court Martial Verdict
A three-member panel of the appellate court, comprising Justices Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang, and Eberechi Nyesom, dismissed Mohammed's appeal in its entirety. The panel affirmed both the authority of the Nigerian Army's Special Court Martial and the validity of its original verdict. The Special Court Martial, which was convened at the Army Headquarters Garrison, had on October 10, 2023, found the former general guilty of stealing and misappropriating funds belonging to NAPL. Following this conviction, the court sentenced him to a term of imprisonment and ordered him to refund the substantial sums of $2,099,700 and N1.65 billion directly to the company.
Mohammed's Grounds for Supreme Court Appeal
In his initial appeal to the Court of Appeal, Mohammed argued that his conviction was not supported by credible and sufficient evidence. Dissatisfied with the appellate court's decision to dismiss this appeal, the retired general has now filed a further appeal before the Supreme Court. He is formally asking the apex court to "set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and nullify the decision of the Special Court Martial." The appeal, filed under motion number CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CR/174MI/2026, raises several critical legal questions.
Mohammed has questioned the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial to try matters involving Nigerian Army Properties Limited, which he contends is a private limited liability company where the Nigerian Army acts merely as a promoter. He further argues that during his tenure as Managing Director of NAPL, he acted strictly under the directives of the then Chief of Army Staff, who also served as the chairman of the company's board of directors.
Allegations of Unfair Trial and Witch-Hunt
Speaking publicly on the matter, Mohammed described his trial as fundamentally unfair. He likened the situation to one where a subordinate is punished for actions allegedly taken on superior orders. "It is like when a bus driver is involved in a traffic accident, you leave the driver and hold the conductor responsible," he said, referencing a remark once attributed to former Transport Minister Umaru Dikko following the 1983 military coup.
Mohammed has alleged that his prosecution was characterised by intrigue and constitutes a witch-hunt. He insists that the individual who allegedly issued the directives regarding the controversial transactions remains free and unprosecuted. His decision to approach the Supreme Court is explicitly aimed at clearing his name and obtaining what he perceives as justice.
Concerns Over Enforcement and Bank Accounts
The retired officer has also raised serious concerns over attempts by the Nigerian Army to enforce certain orders relating to accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN). Mohammed claims these enforcement actions are based on orders that were not expressly issued by the Special Court Martial and lack proper consequential restitution orders. This adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle.
The Supreme Court has not yet fixed a date for the hearing of this high-profile appeal. The case continues to draw significant public attention due to the substantial sums involved, the seniority of the accused, and the broader implications for military justice and corporate governance within entities linked to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
