Appeal Court Upholds Ex-Army General’s Conviction, Orders Refund of Over N4bn
The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentence of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Umar Mohammed, for stealing and misappropriating company funds.
In a certified true copy of the judgment, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial and the validity of its verdict.
Mohammed was originally convicted by the court martial on October 10, 2023, for offences involving the theft and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
He was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, sentenced to prison, and ordered to refund $2,099,700 and N1.65 billion to the company.
Dissatisfied, Mohammed approached the Court of Appeal on February 12, 2025, under suit number CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, claiming his conviction lacked sufficient evidence.
However, a three-member panel of justices—Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang, and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike—dismissed the appeal, ruling that the evidence presented at the court martial clearly established the offences.
The court noted contradictions in Mohammed’s testimony, including his claim that the company never operated berthing services, which clashed with company documents he authored, undermining his credibility.
The appellate court affirmed the conviction and sentence, except for counts relating to forgery.
Separately, in August 2025, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth over N5 billion traced to Mohammed and businessman Kayode Filani.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that the 245,568,137 shares were bought with proceeds from illegal activities during Mohammed’s tenure.
EFCC counsel Hanatu Kofanaisa said the commission had met all legal requirements for final forfeiture, including public notification, and no objections were filed.
The judge ruled in favour of the EFCC, permanently forfeiting the shares to the federal government for the benefit of Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
