By Erewunmi Peace

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Major General Umar Mohammed (rtd.), a former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), over the misappropriation of billions of naira belonging to the organization.

In its ruling, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by the retired Army officer and affirmed the earlier judgment delivered by a military court. The court also ordered him to refund funds totaling more than ₦4 billion linked to the case.

The case originated from a Special Court Martial of the Nigerian Army, which in 2023 found Mohammed guilty of diverting large sums of money while serving as head of the Army’s property management company.

Following the conviction, the retired general challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the judgment was flawed and should be overturned. However, the appellate court ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to support the conviction.

As part of the judgment, the court directed that Mohammed refund approximately $2.09 million and ₦1.65 billion, amounts believed to have been illegally diverted from the organization.

Legal analysts say the ruling reinforces accountability within public institutions and highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.
Despite the ruling, the retired general is reportedly considering further legal action and may take the matter to the Supreme Court.