Court of Appeal upholds conviction of ex-NAPL GMD Maj.-Gen. Umar Mohammed for stealing and misappropriating funds, confirming jail term and asset forfeiture

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the conviction and sentencing of former Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) Group Managing Director, Maj.-Gen. Umar Mohammed, for stealing and misappropriating company funds.

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The appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction and verdict of the Special Court Martial, which had convicted him on October 10, 2023.

Mohammed was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, sentenced to imprisonment, and ordered to refund $2,099,700 and ₦1.65 billion to NAPL.

The former officer’s appeal, filed on February 12, 2025 (suit No. CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025), argued that his conviction lacked sufficient and credible evidence.

However, a three-member appellate panel comprising Justices Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang, and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike dismissed the appeal, noting contradictions in his testimony and ruling that the court martial’s evidence was clear and reliable.

The court highlighted inconsistencies in Mohammed’s defence, including his claim that NAPL never operated berthing services, which conflicted with documents authored by him. These contradictions undermined his credibility.

The appellate court upheld the Special Court Martial’s verdict on all counts except forgery.

In a related case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the final forfeiture of shares worth over ₦5 billion, linked to Mohammed and businessman Kayode Filani.

The shares, totaling 245,568,137, were purchased with proceeds of unlawful activities during Mohammed’s tenure.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos confirmed the permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government, in favour of NAPL.

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The forfeiture application was grounded on Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.