A former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General Umar Mohammed, has announced his intention to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the upholding of his conviction for allegedly stealing and misappropriating company funds.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Following a partial ruling at the Court of Appeal, General Mohammed said he would take the matter to the apex court to contest the appellate court’s February 9, 2026 decision. His appeal at the Court of Appeal, which sought to overturn his conviction by a Special Court Martial, succeeded only in part before the three-member panel.

General Mohammed had initially appealed the Special Court Martial judgment handed down by the Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ Gar), which convicted and sentenced him over allegations of misappropriating funds belonging to NAPL—a private limited company solely promoted by the Nigerian Army, of which he was also a shareholder.

The retired general, who served as Managing Director under the then Chief of Army Staff (also Chairman/Managing Director), emphasized that all expenses and financial decisions were made under direct orders from the Chief.

In a statement on Monday, he likened his trial to the famous remark by former Minister of Transport Alhaji Umaru Dikko after the 1983 coup, comparing it to blaming a bus conductor instead of the driver for an accident:

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

He added that while the Special Court Martial found him guilty, the individual who allegedly issued the orders remains free.

“I believe the trial was marred by intrigue and a witch-hunt. I am confident I will receive justice and clear my name, which is why I am appealing to the highest court in the land,” he said. He also criticized attempts by the Nigerian Army to enforce an order not issued by the Special Court Martial in relation to accounts linked to his Bank Verification Number (BVN), without corresponding restitution directives.

Records indicate that General Mohammed has filed a Motion for Leave to Appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision (Motion No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CR/174MI/2026), requesting that the Supreme Court set aside parts of the appellate judgment and nullify the Special Court Martial’s ruling.

His legal team declined to comment to the media, citing that the matter is sub judice and currently before a competent court.

The Court of Appeal had previously upheld General Mohammed’s conviction and sentence for allegedly stealing and misappropriating NAPL funds. In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the appellate court dismissed his challenge to the Special Court Martial’s jurisdiction and the validity of its verdict.

General Mohammed was originally tried and convicted by the Special Court Martial on October 10, 2023, for offences related to stealing and criminal misappropriation of NAPL funds.

The 10th prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello maintained that the ex-governor’s name is not linked to the transactions under investigation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, an employee of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, identified Exhibit 42 as the Irrevocable Power of Attorney between Dantata and Sawoe and Azab Real Estate Limited, and Exhibit 43 as a Deed of Assignment between the same parties. Both documents were admitted into evidence by Justice Emeka Nwite after a brief ruling on their admissibility.

During cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, Abdulazeez noted that Exhibit 43 did not state the value of the property involved. He also revealed that he has over 25 years of experience as an accountant and had never previously encountered documents that lacked property values.

Abdulazeez further told the court that former Governor Bello was not involved in the transaction and was not present at their office during the process. He explained that Dantata and Sawoe authorized Azab Real Estate to execute the deed, with the respective directors signing on their behalf, and Ali Bello signing for Azab.

Earlier, Justice Nwite ruled that the documents, which the defense had challenged, were admissible. He stated that although they were public documents under Sections 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act, the prosecution sought them not to establish property ownership but to prove the existence of a transaction in a criminal trial.

The prosecution then called its 11th witness, James Igbakule, a legal practitioner, regarding a property on Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, Abuja. He testified that the payment for the property was made in three installments and that he was contacted by one Shehu Bello on behalf of SFC Foods Limited. Igbakule added that he was later invited by the EFCC regarding the investigation and denied ever meeting or having any business with former Governor Bello.

The 12th prosecution witness, Jemilu Abdullahi, a Bureau De Change operator, confirmed conducting transactions mainly with Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited, including multiple transactions of N10 million by one Abba Adaudu.

After a brief recess, the defendant’s counsel requested the removal of the “red alert” issued prior to the defendant’s court appearance, arguing that allowing travel while retaining the alert was contradictory. Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, clarified that the application to vacate the prior travel order was for Bello’s benefit, permitting travel during Ramadan for 10 days starting March 13. Justice Nwite said he would review the issue carefully before ruling.

The court adjourned the trial to April 22, 23, 24, and May 6 and 7 for continuation.

The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the abduction and murder of Chief Sughter Agamber, the Kindred Head of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr. Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala), who informed lawmakers that the traditional ruler was killed by suspected gunmen.

Ipusu noted that over the past two and a half years, the 10th Assembly has repeatedly debated motions on the rising insecurity in Benue State, particularly in the Sankera axis, which includes Katsina-Ala. He explained that Chief Agamber was abducted on Friday at Kam Village, Tongov, by unknown gunmen.

Local authorities, including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs, made extensive efforts to secure the monarch’s release. However, his lifeless body was found in the bush on Saturday morning, indicating he had been killed.

Ipusu expressed concern that the murder marked a dangerous escalation in insecurity, highlighting that criminals were increasingly targeting traditional rulers rather than ordinary citizens. He added that residents of Kam community had begun fleeing their homes for safety, leaving the area largely deserted, and warned that the continued killings could turn communities into graveyards if urgent action was not taken.

Seconding the motion, Mr. Michael Audu (APC/Adoka-Ugboju) called on security agencies to step up operations to curb insecurity in affected communities. Mr. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) also urged intensified efforts to rescue other kidnapping victims in the region and recommended that Operation Zenda establish an additional checkpoint along the Ugbema–Ikov–Jato Aka axis.

Dr. Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) further advised the state government to revive vigilante groups through traditional rulers to support security operations.

Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alfred Emberga directed the House Committee on Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to liaise with Operation Zenda and the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, and report back to the House in an executive session on March 17.

The Speaker also called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to collaborate and intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute those responsible. He instructed Operation Zenda to maintain a checkpoint and carry out regular patrols around Kam community, which lies along the boundary of Ukum, Logo, and Tongov in Katsina-Ala LGA.