Major General Umaru Mallam Mohammed, after being found guilty on October 4, 2023, of 14 out of 18 charges brought against him by the Nigerian Army, has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment by a Special Court Martial.
Presiding over the proceedings, Major General James Myam, the President of the Special Court Martial, pronounced additional orders for the convicted senior officer to reimburse the sums of $2,053,200 (equivalent to 2 million, 53 thousand, 200 US dollars) and N1,690,000 (equivalent to 1 billion, 690 million Nigerian Naira) to the Nigerian Army.
Although the cumulative sentences for each count initially totaled 49 years, the court ruled that they would run concurrently, ultimately reducing the total sentence to 7 years.
The counts for which the senior officer was found guilty, alongside their respective sentences and orders, are outlined as follows:
- Count 1: Stealing, as per section 323, sub-section 7 of the Armed Forces Act. He received a 5-year prison sentence and was instructed to repay $1,045,400 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
- Count 2: Stealing, resulting in a 5-year prison term. Additionally, he was directed to refund $400,800 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
- Count 3: Stealing, leading to a 5-year prison sentence, along with an order to reimburse $85,400 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
- Count 4: Stealing, for which he was sentenced to 5 years in prison, and required to repay $35,300 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
- Count 5: Guilty of Stealing, in violation of section 383, sub-section 1 of the Criminal Code Act, leading to a 5-year prison sentence. The Special Court Martial also mandated the General to refund $55,500 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
- Count 6: Found guilty of Stealing, as per section 310 of the Criminal Code, resulting in a 5-year prison sentence. He was also directed to repay $46,500 to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
General Umaru Mallam Mohammed was acquitted of Counts 7 (Conspiracy to commit forgery), 10 (Conspiracy to forgery of a document), 11 (Forgery), 12 (Conduct Prejudice to Service Discipline), and 17 (Criminal Misconduct).
He was found guilty of Count 8 (Forgery), as per section 362 of the Armed Forces Act, and received a 7-year prison sentence.
Count 9: Guilty, with a 5-year prison sentence. General Umaru Mallam Mohammed was also ordered to reimburse $430,800 to the Nigerian Army Properties Ltd.
Count 12: Found guilty of Conduct Contrary to Service Discipline, resulting in a 2-year prison sentence.
General Mohammed was found guilty of Count 13 (Theft) and received a 5-year prison sentence, along with an order to repay N74 million to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
Count 14: Guilty of Criminal Misappropriation, leading to a 2-year prison term. He was instructed to refund N590 million to the FCC NAM Limited.
Count 16: Guilty of Criminal Misappropriation, resulting in a 2-year prison sentence. He was directed to repay N255 million to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited and an additional N550 million to FCC Nigerian Army Properties Ltd.
Count 18: Found guilty of Criminal Misappropriation, in violation of section 308, Laws of Northern Nigeria, resulting in a 2-year prison sentence. An order was issued for him to repay N172 million to the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.
President of the Special Court Martial, Major General James Myam, emphasized that these sentences are subject to confirmation by the Army Council, the appropriate confirming authority.
It is noteworthy that the accused officer, who held the position of Executive Vice Chairman and GMD of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, had pleaded not guilty to the allegations and presented two witnesses, while the prosecution called 24 witnesses.
President of the Court, Major General Myam, stated that the charges were brought under section 383(1) of the Criminal Code Act Cap c38, the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These offenses are punishable under section 390(7) of the Act and section 114 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20, 2004, among other applicable laws.
Following the sentencing, the President declared that the court had been adjourned Sine die.