The Supreme Court has finally brought closure to a six-year legal battle by affirming the acquittal of former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki (retd).
In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling of December 2024, which had earlier overturned his conviction by a General Court Martial over the alleged disappearance of N100 million in military funds.
With Friday’s judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed the Nigerian Army’s appeal and confirmed Otiki’s discharge, effectively clearing him of all allegations connected to the missing money.
Otiki was initially convicted in 2020 by a military tribunal over claims that funds meant for military operations were stolen during a cash movement from Sokoto to Kaduna in July 2019. He was subsequently dismissed from service, demoted in rank, and reprimanded—sanctions later approved by the Army Council.
But the retired General consistently maintained his innocence, insisting he did not steal or conceal any funds. He also argued that he reported the incident promptly and ensured the money was refunded.
The Court of Appeal later nullified the entire military trial, restored his rank, and ordered that his entitlements be paid. The Army’s decision to challenge that ruling at the Supreme Court has now ended in defeat.
Beyond the courtroom outcome, the case has continued to generate debate, especially around claims that it may have been influenced by political tensions linked to the 2019 Sokoto governorship election.
Otiki had been posted to lead the 8 Division in March 2019, shortly after a tightly contested election between then Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the PDP and APC candidate Ahmad Aliyu. The election was later declared inconclusive due to a narrow margin.
Shortly after assuming office, he reportedly warned troops against interfering in political activities and insisted that military involvement in elections must be authorised by Army Headquarters. He also called for calm during the rerun election period.
Following the supplementary poll, INEC declared Tambuwal winner by a slim margin of 342 votes, a result that heightened political tensions at the time.
Some accounts have since suggested that Otiki’s insistence on military neutrality may have placed him at odds with certain political interests, though these claims have never been formally proven.
His military record, however, has remained largely undisputed. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Otiki held several key positions, including Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of General Staff during the Abacha era, Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, and Defence Attaché.
He was also credited with overseeing major troop rotations from the North-East and contributing to operations such as Operation Sharan Daji and Operation Harbin Kunama III during his tenure as GOC 8 Division.
Even during the court martial proceedings, senior officers acknowledged his service record. The tribunal president, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, reportedly described his career as one many in the military would aspire to, while a senior witness confirmed he had no prior disciplinary record.
Otiki’s defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Israel Olorundare, had also argued that the funds in question were eventually accounted for and that he had taken steps to ensure restitution.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling now standing, legal observers say the judgment not only restores Otiki’s name but also reopens broader conversations about accountability, fairness, and possible external influence in military justice processes.
