The former group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General U.M. Mohammed, is currently facing trial at a military court martial over alleged theft and forgery offences. The trial was instigated following an investigation by military police, which recommended that the senior officer be tried for his alleged role in the theft of various sums of money belonging to NAPL.
According to Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the director of army public relations, the court martial proceedings against General Mohammed have now reached an advanced stage. The prosecution has presented evidence against him and closed its case, and the accused senior officer has also opened his defence and is testifying as defence witness one (DW1).
In his statement, Nwachukwu stressed that General Mohammed is facing trial for alleged theft and forgery offences, which are punishable under various extant penal laws in Nigeria. The court martial was convened by the Army Headquarters to legally recover the allegedly fraudulently acquired sums of money from the coffers of NAPL during General Mohammed’s tenure as GMD.
The spokesperson clarified that the outcome of the court martial proceedings will be made available at the end of the trial. He also highlighted that court martial trials are legally provided for in the Armed Forces Act (AFA) as a disciplinary tool in the Armed Forces. The procedures, findings, and sentences of court-martial have been validated by the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in multiple instances.
Nwachukwu noted that the trial of General Mohammed is taking place at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. He further explained that the trial is open and the defence has presented adequate representation in court. The accused senior officer’s family members, friends, and associates have also been attending and observing the court proceedings without hindrance.
The spokesperson emphasized that the retention of General Mohammed in service is permissible under Section 169 of the Armed Forces Act, which allows for the retention of personnel with pending disciplinary cases to allow for legal processes. He also pointed out that the members of the Special Court Martial trying General Mohammed are all junior to him, which is permissible under Section 133(7) of the Armed Forces Act in special circumstances.
The statement revealed that General Mohammed is being defended by a legal team comprising two Senior Advocates and 6 lawyers, including a retired military officer. He is currently being detained at a military location purpose-built for such detention, where the rights and well-being of such detainees are given prime consideration.
Although General Mohammed requested bail at the onset of the trial, the court declined the application, considering the humongous amount of monies allegedly stolen in the indictment, which could encourage him to abscond. However, the court granted visitation rights to some family members, including his two wives, son, daughter, and brother as requested by the accused officer.
Nwachukwu cautioned against peddling inaccurate reports and comments on a matter that is currently under judicial adjudication (sub-judice), stressing that it is inappropriate and amounts to unlawful interference with the administration of justice.