TheCable

A military special court-martial has sentenced Umaru Mohammed, a former group managing director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), to seven years imprisonment.

The court found Mohammed guilty of 14 out of the 18 count charges bordering on forgery, misappropriation of funds, and conspiracy, among others.

According to the NAN, the court also ordered the convicted senior officer to refund $ 2.17 million and N1.06 billion, the money he stole from the company.

James Myam, president of the court, said the sentence was based on the provisions of the criminal code Act cap C38 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004, and section 174 of the Armed Forces Act cap 20 laws, 2004.

On count one which borders on stealing, Mohammed was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison and to refund $1.04 million to NAPL.

The court also found the officer guilty on count two and sentenced him to five years imprisonment, in addition to paying $400,800 to NAPL.

On count three, Mohammed was sentenced to five years imprisonment and to refund $85,400 while count four also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back $35,300.

On count five, the former NAPL boss was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an order to pay  $55,500 to the NAPL.

Count six also attracted five years imprisonment with an order to pay back $46,500.

The court however discharged and acquitted him of the charge in count seven, but sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count eight. In contrast, the remaining charges he was convicted of, attracted five and two years imprisonment.

Olalekan Ojo, defence counsel, who cited section 157 of the Armed Forces Act, prayed the court to move his client to a custodial centre instead of a military detention facility, which the court rejected.