Former Nigerian Army Official Umaru Mohammed Sentenced to Seven Years and Ordered to Return Stolen Funds

 

Umaru Mohammed, a major general and former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Nigerian Army Special Court Martial on Tuesday.

The court also mandated that the senior official who was found guilty return N1.06 billion and the 2.17 million dollars he stole to the company's coffers.

The officer was found guilty on 14 of the 18 counts that were brought against him, according to the judgement, which was delivered by the court's president, James Myam, a major general.

According to Mr. Myam, the punishment was based on section 174 of the Armed Forces Act (Cap 20 Laws, 2004) and the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).

He said that the defence attorney's mitigation argument was given careful attention before the decision was reached.

This special court-martial's penalties are all to run consecutively and are subject to the confirming authority's approval.

He said, "The court is hereby adjourned sine die," and added, "This sentence is dated this day, the 10th of October 2023.

According to Mr. Myam, Mr. Mohammed was found guilty on count one, which involves stealing, and will serve five years in prison while also paying $1.04 million back to NAPL.

The officer was also found guilty on count two by the court, and he was given a five-year prison term as well as ordered to pay back $400,800 to NAPL.

On count three, Mr. Mohammed received a sentence of five years in jail and was ordered to pay back the sum of $85,400. On count four, he received a similar term of five years in prison and was also required to pay back the sum of $35,300.

On count five, the former NAPL executive received a five-year prison term along with a requirement that he reimburse the NAPL for $55,500.

Additionally, count six resulted in five years in prison and a requirement to repay $46,500.

However, the court dismissed and cleared him of the charge in count 7, but sentenced him to seven years in jail on count 8, while the other offences he was found guilty of carried sentences of five and two years.

Invoking Section 157 of the Armed Forces Act, the defence attorney Olalekan Ojo (SAN) requested that his client be transferred from a military prison facility to a correctional centre; however, the court denied his request.

Mr. Ojo also requested that the sentence begin on the day the court issued its ruling.

Mr. Ojo stated that he will discuss his client before deciding whether to appeal the verdict.

"We must follow his direction to appeal if he so directs us, the decision is his," he continued.

 "If he tells us tomorrow or after the confirmation that he is not satisfied with the findings and punishment, then we must carry out his instruction to do so.

Souece: NAN