Former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General Umar Mohammed (retd), has vowed to challenge at the Supreme Court the Court of Appeal’s decision upholding his conviction for stealing and misappropriating company funds.
The retired general described his trial as a “witch-hunt” characterized by intrigue, announcing his intent after a partial victory at the appellate court which delivered judgment on February 9, 2026.
General Mohammed, who served under the then Chief of Army Staff doubling as NAPL Chairman, likened his situation to blaming a bus conductor while exonerating the driver in a traffic accident.
“The Special Court Martial found me guilty while the person who allegedly gave the orders and directives enjoys liberty and freedom,” he stated, referencing former Minister of Transport Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s post-1983 coup remark.
The senior officer was convicted on October 10, 2023, by a Special Court Martial convened by Army Headquarters Garrison for offences bordering on stealing and criminal misappropriation of NAPL funds, a private company promoted solely by the Nigerian Army where he was both Managing Director and shareholder.
The Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge to the martial court’s jurisdiction and upheld the verdict, though his appeal succeeded in part before the three-man panel.
General Mohammed has filed Motion No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CR/174MI/2026 seeking Supreme Court leave to appeal, requesting the apex court set aside parts of the appellate judgment and nullify the Special Court Martial’s ruling.
He raised concerns over the Army seeking enforcement of account freezes linked to his Bank Verification Number without corresponding restitution orders from the martial court.
The ex-general’s legal team declined media comment, citing sub judice rules as the matter awaits Supreme Court consideration.
The case underscores tensions around military justice jurisdiction over commercial transactions involving army-affiliated entities, with NAPL operating under direct oversight from the Chief of Army Staff who issued expenditure directives.
