The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Umar Mohammed, a former group managing director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), over the diversion of about $2.1 million belonging to the military-owned company.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices, Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang, and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike — the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the legality of the special court martial that earlier convicted him.
The former army director had been found guilty by the court martial on October 10, 2023, for offences related to stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to NAPL. The military tribunal convicted him on 14 of the 18 charges brought against him.
Following the conviction, Mohammed was sentenced to seven years in prison, dismissed from the Nigerian Army, and ordered to refund $2,099,700 and ₦1.65 billion to the company.
However, the ex-army officer later approached the Court of Appeal in February 2025, arguing that the court martial lacked jurisdiction and that the verdict was not backed by sufficient and credible evidence.
In its ruling, the appellate court rejected his arguments and affirmed the earlier conviction and sentence, effectively maintaining the seven-year jail term and the order for restitution.
The ruling brings to a close Mohammed’s attempt to overturn the military tribunal’s decision over the multi-million-dollar fraud involving the army’s property and investment arm.
