Ex-Army General heads for Supreme Court to challenge conviction on alleged fund stealing
Former Army Official to Appeal Conviction
Major General Umar Mohammed, the former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction for theft and misappropriation of company funds.
Following what he described as a deadlock at the appellate court, General Mohammed announced his intent to challenge the ruling delivered on February 9, 2026. His appeal partially succeeded but did not overturn the conviction imposed by a Special Court Martial.
The Special Court Martial, organized by the Army Headquarters Garrison, found General Mohammed guilty of misappropriating funds from NAPL, a private limited liability company primarily funded by the Nigerian Army, of which he was a shareholder. As the company’s Managing Director, Mohammed reported to the then Chief of Army Staff, who also served as the Chairman/Managing Director, and received directives on financial expenditures.
In a statement released on Monday, General Mohammed expressed his belief that his trial was unjust. He likened his situation to a comment made by former Minister of Transport Alhaji Umaru Dikko, implying that he is being unfairly scapegoated for decisions made by higher authorities.
“It’s like when a bus driver is involved in a traffic accident, you leave the driver and hold the conductor responsible,” he said. He asserted that while he faces legal consequences, those who allegedly directed his actions remain unpunished.
The general claimed that his trial is marked by intrigue and a witch hunt, vowing to seek justice through the Supreme Court. He pointed out a notable inconsistency in the Army’s pursuit of enforcement of an order that he argues originated outside the Special Court Martial, particularly regarding accounts associated with his Bank Verification Number.
According to available information, General Mohammed has filed a Motion for Leave to Appeal, referenced as Motion No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CR/174MI/2026, asking the Supreme Court to nullify portions of the Court of Appeal’s judgment and overturn the Special Court Martial’s verdict.
His legal team declined to comment further, citing the ongoing judicial process. The Court of Appeal previously upheld the conviction and sentence handed down to General Mohammed for the alleged theft and misappropriation of NAPL’s funds. In its judgment, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s challenge regarding the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial and the legitimacy of its verdict.
He was initially tried and convicted on October 10, 2023.
