The Supreme Court has affirmed the acquittal of former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki (retd), bringing to an end a six-year legal battle over the alleged disappearance of N100 million in military operational funds.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court upheld the December 2024 ruling of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the conviction of the retired senior officer by a General Court Martial.
The Supreme Court dismissed the Nigerian Army’s appeal and sustained Otiki’s discharge and acquittal, effectively clearing him of all allegations linked to the missing funds.
Otiki had been convicted in 2020 by a military tribunal over the disappearance of N100 million allegedly stolen by soldiers assigned to transport the cash from Sokoto to Kaduna in July 2019.
The tribunal had ordered his dismissal from service, reduction in rank from Major General to Brigadier General, and issued a severe reprimand. The sanctions were later ratified by the Army Council.
However, the retired officer consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he neither stole nor concealed the money. He maintained that he promptly reported the incident to military authorities and refunded the missing funds.
The Court of Appeal later voided the entire proceedings of the General Court Martial, restored his rank and ordered the payment of his entitlements.
Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s judgment, the Nigerian Army approached the Supreme Court, which on Friday affirmed the lower court’s decision.
The ruling has reignited debate within military and legal circles over claims that the prosecution may have been influenced by political interests connected to the 2019 Sokoto governorship election.
Otiki was appointed GOC of 8 Division, Sokoto, shortly after the governorship election in the state was declared inconclusive following the narrow margin between former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Ahmad Aliyu.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the senior officer had insisted on military neutrality during the rerun election and warned soldiers against unlawful involvement in the poll.
Following the supplementary election, which Tambuwal won by 342 votes, political tension reportedly heightened in Sokoto and Abuja, amid allegations that some interests expected military interference in the process.
Questions also emerged over the severity of the punishment imposed on Otiki despite his previously unblemished military career spanning more than three decades.
During the trial, President of the General Court Martial, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, reportedly acknowledged the retired General’s service record, describing it as exemplary.
Similarly, Major General GAT Ochigbano, who testified as Military Secretary, reportedly told the tribunal that Otiki had no prior regimental offence throughout his career.
Otiki’s lead counsel, Israel Olorundare (SAN), had also urged the tribunal to show leniency, noting that the retired officer refunded the N100 million and that projects tied to the operational funds had either been completed or were nearing completion.
The soldiers accused of absconding with the money were identified as Corporal Gabriel Oluwaniyi, Corporal Mohammed Aminu, Corporal Haruna, Oluji Joshua and Hayatudeen.
With the Supreme Court judgment affirming his acquittal, observers say the verdict has restored the retired officer’s reputation while reviving concerns over alleged political influence in military justice administration.
