Military court fixes date for judgement in stealing case against Major-General

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja

The Nigerian Army Special Court Martial sitting in Abuja has fixed October 10, 2023, for judgement in a case of stealing, forgery, misappropriation, and conspiracy preferred against a Major-General.

The accused, Maj.-Gen. Umaru Muhammed, was the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL).

He is facing an 18-count charge brought against him by the Nigerian Army.

The President of the Court, Maj.-Gen. James Myam, on Wednesday, said in the course of the trial, Muhammed pleaded not guilty and presented two witnesses.

Myam said the prosecution on the other hand called 24 witnesses.

He stated that count one of the charges was brought under section 383(1) of the Criminal Code Act Cap c38 law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, punishable under section 390 (7) of the Act.

Myam added that the charge was also brought pursuant to section 114 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 2004.

He said the court found the defendant guilty of stealing $1.04 million between May 7, 2019, and June 24, 2021, while serving as GMD of NAPL.

The court president added that the accused was found guilty of instructing one Maj. Usman and one other, now at large, to collect money from ship owners in dollars.

Myam, however, said Muhammed was not found guilty on count 7, which borders on criminal conspiracy to forge a document in connivance with one Yusuf Abdulahi.

He stated that Muhammed was found guilty of forgery as related to count 8 and 9 for stealing $430, 800.

The court president noted that the Major-General was also guilty of conspiracy to forge document and selling the company’s property while no longer serving at NAPL for N200 million.

Myam declared that Muhammed was equally guilty of dishonestly taking N74 million from the company’s account on August 22, 2019.

On counts 14, 15, 16, and 18 which bordered on criminal misappropriation, Myam said the accused could not account for N2.5 billion belonging to the company.

On count 17, in which the Major-General was accused of withdrawing N750 million from the company’s account, the court president said the prosecution failed to prove their allegation beyond reasonable doubt.

The Star