Former Army Chief’s Ally Guilty of Stealing Over $430,000 and More in Court-Martial

In a stunning development, Major General Umar Muazu Mohammed, a former ally of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retired), has been convicted on a slew of charges, including theft, fraud, and the unauthorized diversion of Army property. These verdicts were delivered by a Special Court Martial convened by the Nigerian Army to address a litany of allegations against the high-ranking military official.

Major General Umar Muazu Mohammed, who formerly held the position of Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Army Properties Limited, faced a total of 18 counts in the court-martial proceedings. The court’s judgment found him guilty on 14 of these charges, marking a significant setback in his career and reputation.

The charges against Major General Mohammed were wide-ranging and encompassed various forms of misconduct, including the misappropriation of funds, forgery, conspiracy, theft, and the unauthorized diversion of Army property. Notably, among the allegations was the collection of a substantial sum totaling $1,045,400 from shipping companies. This money was intended as payment for the use of the Nigerian Army Jetty situated at No 6 Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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Moreover, Major General U.M. Mohammed was implicated in the theft of $430,800, which constituted monies paid into the Nigerian Army Domiciliary account at Unity Bank in Abuja. These funds were designated for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nigerian Army Jetty located in Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Furthermore, the court found Major General Mohammed guilty of withdrawing and confiscating the sum of N74 million out of N75 million, which had been earmarked for the acquisition of a property belonging to the Nigerian Army in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Despite these convictions, Major General Mohammed was acquitted of charges related to the sale of Army property worth N200 million in Lagos and the alleged misappropriation of N750 million, which was secured from banks and contributed by subscribers for the development of the Army Housing Estate in Asokoro, Abuja. Additionally, he was not found guilty of charges related to the forging of a Deed of Agreement document, which was reportedly connected to the confiscation of another Army property in Lagos.

The Special Court Martial, headed by Major General Kames Myam and comprised of seven other Major Generals, with a Brigadier General serving as the Judge Advocate, is expected to announce the sentences for the accused by next Tuesday.

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During the course of the court-martial, Major General Mohammed was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair. However, the President of the court, Major General Myam, assured that all necessary medical checks had been conducted on the accused, confirming his fitness to stand trial.

This high-profile case has brought to light alleged corruption within the Nigerian Army. Major General Mohammed, during his cross-examination, revealed that the allocation of Army properties to politicians and Very Important Personalities (VIPs) at a significant 75% discount was carried out under the directive of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai. It was alleged that these beneficiaries were closely associated with the then-First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and received these properties as gifts on her behalf.

Despite claims of transparency, journalists were reportedly denied access to cover the trial proceedings, and the court-martial has been ongoing secretly since September 2022.

This verdict underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability within the military establishment, and addressing corruption at all levels of government in Nigeria.

Source: SaharaReporters

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