Supreme Court Acquits Major General Hakeem Otiki, Upholds Appeal Court Judgment
The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal which nullified the conviction and sentence imposed on former General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, by a General Court Martial.
Delivering a unanimous ruling, a five‑member panel of the apex court dismissed the Nigerian Army’s appeal and upheld the appellate court’s decision discharging and acquitting the senior officer.
The case stemmed from a July 2019 incident in which Otiki allegedly directed soldiers to transport ₦100 million from Sokoto to Abuja for the purchase of furniture for renovated military quarters, before the funds reportedly went missing.
On June 16, 2020, the military tribunal convicted Otiki, dismissed him from the Army with disgrace, reduced his rank to Brigadier General, and issued a severe reprimand. The Army Council later confirmed the findings and sentence in November 2020.
Otiki, dissatisfied, appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in case number CA/ABJ/CR/54/2022. His counsel, Israel Olorundare (SAN), argued that the officer neither stole nor concealed the funds, stressing that he promptly reported the loss and refunded the money. The defence also maintained that the projects tied to the funds were either completed or nearing completion.
On December 5, 2024, the Court of Appeal nullified the entire proceedings of the General Court Martial, restored Otiki to the rank of Major General, and ordered the payment of his salaries, allowances, entitlements, and refund of forfeited monies.
The Nigerian Army challenged this decision before the Supreme Court in appeal number SC/CR/96/2025, but the apex court has now resolved the matter in favour of Otiki, bringing final closure to the protracted legal battle.
