A former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Umar Mohammed, has indicated plans to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria to challenge the judgment upholding his conviction for alleged stealing and misappropriation of company funds.

Mohammed had earlier appealed the judgment of a Special Court Martial convened by the Nigerian Army, which found him guilty and sentenced him over allegations involving funds belonging to NAPL, a private limited liability company promoted by the Nigerian Army.

The retired officer served as Managing Director of the company during the tenure of a former Chief of Army Staff who also acted as Chairman of the organisation. According to Mohammed, his role involved implementing directives and approvals issued by the then army chief regarding financial expenditures and transactions.

In a statement issued on Monday, Mohammed described his trial as unfair and compared his situation to remarks attributed to former Transport Minister Umaru Dikko following the 1983 Nigerian coup d’état.

“It is like when a bus driver is involved in a traffic accident, you leave the driver and hold the conductor responsible,” he said.

The former general argued that while the Special Court Martial convicted him, the individual he claimed issued the directives that led to the disputed transactions was not prosecuted.

He also alleged that the proceedings were marked by intrigue and a witch-hunt, expressing confidence that the Supreme Court would overturn the judgment and clear his name.

Mohammed further questioned attempts by the Nigerian Army to enforce certain orders related to accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN), claiming that the court martial did not issue such directives or any consequential restitution orders.

Court documents indicate that the retired officer has filed a Motion for Leave to Appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in case number CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CR/174MI/2026, seeking to set aside parts of the appellate ruling and nullify the verdict of the Special Court Martial.

His legal team declined to comment on the matter, citing the principle of sub judice as the case is now before a competent court.

The Court of Appeal had earlier affirmed the conviction and sentencing of Mohammed, dismissing his challenge to the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial and upholding its verdict.

Mohammed was initially tried and convicted by the military tribunal on October 10, 2023, for offences related to stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

Source: The Nation News