The has upheld the conviction and sentence of former Group Managing Director of (NAPL), , over the theft and misappropriation of company funds.
According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal in which he questioned the jurisdiction of the and the validity of the decision that found him guilty.
The former major general had earlier been tried and convicted by the court martial on October 10, 2023, for offences relating to stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to the army-owned company.
Following the verdict, Mohammed was dismissed from the , sentenced to prison, and directed to refund 2,099,700 dollars and N1.65 billion to the company.
Not satisfied with the outcome, he filed an appeal on February 12, 2025, under suit number CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, arguing that the conviction was not supported by credible or sufficient evidence.
However, a three-member panel of justices — , and — rejected the appeal, ruling that the evidence presented during the court martial clearly proved the offences.
In the certified judgment issued on Monday, the court stated that the Special Court Martial was justified in dismissing the former general’s defence, describing it as inconsistent and unreliable.
The court also pointed out contradictions in Mohammed’s testimony, particularly his assertion that the Nigerian Army Properties Limited never provided berthing services. This claim conflicted with documentary evidence he had authored that suggested otherwise.
According to the justices, the inconsistencies significantly weakened his credibility.
The appellate court therefore upheld the conviction and sentence delivered by the Special Court Martial on all counts except those related to forgery.
Meanwhile, in August 2025, of the sitting in ordered the final forfeiture of shares valued at over N5 billion linked to Mohammed and a businessman, .
The order followed an application filed by the (EFCC), which informed the court that the 245,568,137 shares had been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities during Mohammed’s tenure at the army’s property company.
EFCC counsel in the case, , told the court that the Special Court Martial had already convicted Mohammed on 14 out of 18 charges related to stealing and other offences.
She added that the commission fulfilled all legal conditions required for final forfeiture, including mandatory publication in newspapers, without any objections being raised.
In granting the application, Justice Dipeolu ruled that the EFCC had successfully established its case and ordered the shares permanently forfeited to the Federal Government in favour of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
The application was filed under Section 44(2)(b) of the and Section 17 of the .