The Nigerian Army Special Court Martial has convicted a former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major-General Umaru Mohammed to seven years imprisonment, having been found guilty on 14 of the 18 count charges brought against him.
Penpushing reports that the President of the court, Major-General James Myam in same vein, ordered the convicted senior officer to refund 2.17 million dollars and N1.06 billion, the amount of monies he stole, back to the company’s coffers.
The court in pronouncing judgement said the sentence was based on the provisions of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and section 174 of the Armed Forces Act Cap 20 Laws, 2004.
Penpushing further reports that the President of the court explained that the verdict was made after due consideration of the plea of mitigation by the defence counsel, adding that the sentence is to run concurrently, but subject to confirmation of the authority
“These sentences of this special court-martial are all to run concurrently and are subject to the confirmation of the confirming authority. This sentence is dated this day, the 10th of October 2023 and the court is hereby adjourned Sine die,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that Myam explained that on count one which borders on stealing, the army general Mohammed was found guilty and will spend five years in prison and refund 1.04 million dollars back to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL).
The court in similar vein found the officer guilty on count two and sentenced him to five years imprisonment, in addition to paying back the sum of $400,800 to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), and on count three, Mohammed was sentenced to five years imprisonment and to refund the sum of $85,400.
Penpushing reports that count four also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $35,300, while on count five, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $55,500 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), and count six attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back the sum of $46,500.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted him of the charge in count 7, but sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count eight, while the remaining charges he was convicted of, attracted five- and two-years’ imprisonment.
Penpushing reports that the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo citing Section 157 of the Armed Forces Act, prayed the court to move his client to a custodial centre instead of a military detention facility, which the court rejected.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) equally prayed the court that the sentence should run from the day of the court’s pronouncement, adding that he would consult the convict on whether to appeal the judgement
‘If he tells us tomorrow or after the confirmation that he is not satisfied with the findings and sentence, then we must carry out his instruction to appeal if he so instructs us, the decision is his’, the legal luminary added.
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