The Supreme Court has upheld the discharge and acquittal of former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, in a long-running case involving alleged loss of military funds.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the Nigerian Army and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified Otiki’s conviction and sentence by a General Court Martial.
The case dates back to July 2019, when Otiki, then serving as GOC of the 8 Division in Sokoto, was accused of authorising the movement of N100 million by road from Sokoto to Abuja for furniture procurement for renovated military quarters. The money reportedly went missing during transit.
He was subsequently tried by a General Court Martial, which in June 2020 convicted him on all charges, dismissed him from service in disgrace, reduced his rank from Major General to Brigadier General, and issued a severe reprimand. The Army Council later confirmed the verdict in November 2020.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Otiki appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. His legal team argued that he did not steal or conceal the funds, insisting that he promptly reported the incident and refunded the missing money, while the related projects were completed or near completion.
In December 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the military tribunal’s decision, acquitting him, restoring his rank, and ordering the payment of all entitlements and refunds of forfeited funds.
The Nigerian Army further challenged the ruling at the Supreme Court in case SC/CR/96/2025, but the apex court ultimately upheld the appellate court’s decision, bringing the legal battle to an end.
