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The sub-judice and ongoing Court Martial process of former Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General Umar Mohammed in Abuja has fixed Tuesday for judgment after he was found guilty of Stealing, Forgery, Conspiracy and Misappropriation of Funds.
These are all acts declared as offences punishable under the provisions of various extant penal Laws in Nigeria but the accused, however, pleaded guilty to all the charges preferred against him.
Major General Umar Mohammed who served as Group MD of NAPL between 7 May 2019 and 24 June 2021 is being tried on 18 counts bordering on Stealing, Forgery, Conspiracy and Misappropriation of Funds, among others.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the President of the Nigerian Army Special Court-martial, led by Maj. Gen. James Myam stated that the prosecution counsel called 24 witnesses, while the defendant called two some the proceedings of the trial.
He stated that count one was brought under section 383(1) of the Criminal Code Act Cap c38 law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and punishable under section 390 (7), adding the charge was also brought pursuant to section 114 of the armed forces Act Cap A20 2004.
General Myam noted that he was accused of stealing $1.04m between May 7, 2019, and June 24, 2021, while serving as Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL)
The court also held that in counts 2,3,4,5 and 6 the accused officer was accused of giving instructions to one Major Usman and one other at large to collect money from ship owners in dollars. He was found guilty as charged in all the counts.
He was found not guilty in count 7 which is on document forgery. He was found guilty in count 8 and in count 9, he was found guilty of stealing $430, 800.
In Count 10 which was on Conspiracy to forge document, the general was found guilty.
The court, in count 12 held that the general was found guilty of Selling the company’s property while no longer serving at Army Properties Ltd for N200m.
In Count 13 the court found him guilty of dishonestly taking N74m from the company’s account on August 22, 2019.
In count 14 15, 16, and 18 which bordered on criminal misappropriation, the court found him guilty.
In count 17, the general was accused of withdrawing N750m from the company’s account, the court, held that the prosecution failed to prove their allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
The Court Martial trials are lawfully provided in the Armed Forces Act (AFA) as one of the disciplinary tools in the Armed Forces.
The court, however, fixed the judgment on the matter till Tuesday.
