Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund - Newstrends
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Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

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Court of Appeal, Abuja

Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

The Court of Appeal of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and prison sentence handed to former Major General Umar Mohammed over the diversion of billions of naira belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), the property and investment arm of the Nigerian Army.

In a judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices, the appellate court upheld the earlier decision of a Special Court Martial which found the retired officer guilty of stealing and mismanaging funds belonging to the army-owned company during his tenure as its Group Managing Director.

The court also sustained the order directing him to refund more than ₦4 billion traced to the illegal transactions.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the justices dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging both the jurisdiction of the military tribunal and the outcome of the trial. The appellate court held that the court martial acted within the bounds of the law and relied on credible and admissible evidence to reach its verdict.

The panel—comprising Justice Abba Mohammed, Justice Okon Abang, and Justice Eberechi Nyesom‑Wike—ruled that the prosecution had successfully established the charges brought against the former general.

Mohammed was originally arraigned before the military tribunal on October 10, 2023, where he faced multiple counts of stealing, criminal misappropriation and financial misconduct involving funds belonging to the army property firm.

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After the trial, the court martial dismissed him from military service and sentenced him to imprisonment. The tribunal also ordered him to refund $2,099,700 and ₦1.65 billion to the company as restitution for the diverted funds.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mohammed approached the appellate court in February 2025 through an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, asking that the conviction be overturned on the grounds that the evidence used against him was weak and unreliable.

However, the appellate court disagreed.

The justices ruled that the defence presented by the former officer was riddled with contradictions and could not discredit the evidence already accepted by the court martial.

Part of the judgment highlighted inconsistencies in Mohammed’s testimony. During the proceedings, he had claimed that Nigerian Army Properties Limited did not operate berthing services, but the court noted that documentary records previously authored and signed by him indicated that the company was indeed involved in such operations.

The appellate court held that the conflicting statements weakened his credibility and strengthened the prosecution’s case.

Consequently, the court affirmed the conviction and sentence on most of the charges established by the tribunal, setting aside only the counts relating to alleged forgery.

Mohammed’s legal troubles extend beyond the criminal conviction.

In August 2025, the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth more than ₦5 billion linked to the former general and businessman Kayode Filani.

The shares—totalling 245,568,137 units—were found to have been purchased with funds suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities during Mohammed’s leadership of the army-owned company.

The forfeiture followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which told the court that its investigations had established that the funds used for the investment were unlawfully obtained.

EFCC counsel Hanatu Kofanaisa informed the court that the Special Court Martial had earlier convicted the former general on 14 out of 18 counts relating to stealing and financial misconduct.

She also explained that the commission complied with all legal procedures for final forfeiture, including public notification through newspaper publications. No individual or organisation came forward to challenge the application.

Justice Dipeolu subsequently ruled that the anti-graft agency had proven its case and ordered the shares to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, in favour of Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

The forfeiture proceedings were brought under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

With the latest ruling by the Court of Appeal, Mohammed’s attempt to overturn his conviction has effectively failed, reinforcing the disciplinary action earlier taken by military authorities and marking a major judicial decision in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption within public institutions.

Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Army General, Orders ₦4bn Refund

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“You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

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Daddy Freeze, Roby Ekpo and Mayowa, and Yul Edochie

“You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

Media personality Daddy Freeze has reacted strongly to comments made by Nollywood actor Yul Edochie after he mocked broadcaster Roby Ekpo over his emotional breakdown while discussing his failed marriage.

The controversy started after Roby Ekpo appeared on a podcast where he became emotional while speaking about his marital crisis and separation from his ex-wife. The interview sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over whether men should openly express emotional pain in public.

Reacting on X, Yul Edochie criticised Ekpo for crying during the interview, arguing that men should not display such emotions over a relationship. He went further to suggest that instead of mourning a breakup, a man should “move on” by taking multiple wives and getting them pregnant at once.

His comments immediately triggered backlash, with many social media users accusing him of being insensitive and promoting unhealthy views about relationships and masculinity.

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In response, Daddy Freeze released a video where he questioned Yul’s reasoning, describing his remarks as illogical and insensitive. Speaking partly in Pidgin English, he mocked the actor’s suggestion about polygamy and childbearing, saying it was unrealistic and out of touch with reality.

He also criticised the idea that men should be shamed for showing emotion, arguing that public figures should be more thoughtful when discussing sensitive personal struggles like divorce and heartbreak.

Daddy Freeze’s reaction has intensified the online debate, with users now split between those supporting emotional openness for men and others defending Yul’s belief that men should handle relationship issues privately.

The exchange has continued to trend across social media platforms, with many also referencing both men’s previous public statements and controversies as part of the wider conversation on masculinity and mental health.

“You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

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Ruto Sparks Outrage Over Comments on Nigerian English Accent

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Kenyan President William Ruto
Kenyan President William Ruto

Ruto Sparks Outrage Over Comments on Nigerian English Accent

Kenyan President William Ruto is facing a wave of criticism across Africa after comments suggesting that Nigerians speaking English are difficult to understand and may require a “translator”.

The remarks were made during a diaspora engagement event with Kenyans living in Italy, where the president praised Kenya’s education system and highlighted what he described as strong English language proficiency in Kenya.

“If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying — you need a translator,” Ruto said, adding that Kenyans speak “some of the best English in the world.”

The statement immediately triggered a social media backlash, with many users across Nigeria and other African countries accusing the Kenyan leader of being disrespectful and reinforcing stereotypes about African accents and identity.

The controversy sparked wider discussions about the role of English as a colonial language in Africa, with critics arguing that fluency or accent should not be used as a measure of intelligence or national progress. Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said English should not be tied to ability or development, stressing that it is a colonial inheritance rather than a cultural standard of superiority.

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The incident also reignited long-standing Nigeria–Kenya online debates, where users often clash over politics, economy, sports, and cultural identity. Nigeria’s English usage is shaped by its linguistic diversity, with more than 500 local languages influencing accent, tone, and expression. Kenya also has multiple language groups, including Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic influences, which shape its English variation.

Social media users defended Nigerian speech patterns, arguing that differences in accent do not affect communication clarity or intellectual ability. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani also reacted, referencing Nigeria’s global literary contributions, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and writers Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Some critics urged the Kenyan president to shift attention to pressing domestic challenges such as cost of living, unemployment, and economic development, rather than comments seen as fueling online controversy. Others described the remarks as part of recurring political social media tensions between African nations, often amplified on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

While the comments drew widespread condemnation, some Kenyans defended Ruto, arguing that his statement was either misinterpreted or intended as light-hearted commentary during the engagement. There has been no official clarification from the Kenyan presidency regarding the remarks as of the time of reporting.

Analysts say the incident reflects how accent politics, language perception, and digital nationalism continue to shape online interactions among African countries.

Ruto Sparks Outrage Over Comments on Nigerian English Accent

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CJN, AGF Warn Journalists Against Misreporting Court Cases Ahead of Elections

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Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

CJN, AGF Warn Journalists Against Misreporting Court Cases Ahead of Elections

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, have called for professional and responsible judicial reporting, warning that accurate communication between the media and the courts is critical to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Both officials spoke through representatives at the 2026 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) held in Abuja, where stakeholders examined the theme: “The Role of the Judiciary in Deepening Democracy in Nigeria.”

Justice Babatunde Adejumo, representing the CJN, described the judiciary as the guardian of constitutional order, stressing that court decisions only achieve full democratic value when they are properly understood by the public. He warned that misrepresentation of court rulings and sensational journalism could weaken public trust in the justice system, especially at a time when Nigeria is preparing for a critical electoral cycle. According to him, journalists must avoid acting as “parallel courts” by independently interpreting judgments outside legal context or presenting incomplete judicial narratives.

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He further cautioned that inaccurate reporting of court proceedings could attract legal consequences, including contempt of court. Justice Adejumo also referenced past experiences where he summoned editors over what he described as false reports, urging journalists to prioritise accuracy over sensationalism. He warned: “Before you publish any sensational news that may put you behind the bar for years, be careful,” adding that lawyers who hold press briefings outside court premises in a manner that influences media coverage could also face sanctions.

Hussein Oloyede, who represented the AGF, stressed that the media must avoid being used as a tool for division, misinformation, or political manipulation. He said political actors must not be allowed to use the press to “tear the fabric of the nation,” insisting that national stability and unity must come before political competition. He added that government would not tolerate hate speech or incitement capable of undermining public peace, warning that Nigeria must remain stable before political contests can be meaningfully pursued.

The CJN’s address also emphasised the judiciary’s critical role in handling electoral disputes, noting that upcoming elections will test the strength of democratic institutions. She stressed that accurate and balanced judicial reporting is essential to maintaining public confidence in court decisions, particularly during politically sensitive periods such as elections.

The conference brought together judges, legal practitioners, and journalists to explore how the judiciary and media can jointly strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria. Participants highlighted the importance of continuous engagement between the courts and the press to improve understanding of judicial processes and reduce misinformation in public discourse. Analysts say the discussion reflects growing concern over the impact of media narratives on rule of law, election credibility, and public trust in the judiciary as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections.

CJN, AGF Warn Journalists Against Misreporting Court Cases Ahead of Elections

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