Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of Ex-Army GOC Otiki Over Missing N100m

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The Supreme Court has upheld the acquittal of former General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Otiki, affirming the Court of Appeal judgment that nullified his conviction and dismissal by a General Court Martial over the alleged disappearance of N100 million.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court dismissed the Nigerian Army’s appeal and resolved the case in favour of the senior military officer, effectively bringing the legal battle to an end.

Otiki was prosecuted following a 2019 incident in which soldiers allegedly transporting N100 million from Sokoto to Abuja for the purchase of furniture for renovated military quarters reported that the money went missing.

The Nigerian Army subsequently arraigned him before a General Court Martial, which on June 16, 2020 convicted him on all counts.

The tribunal dismissed him from service with disgrace and dishonour, reduced his rank from Major General to Brigadier General, and issued a severe reprimand.

The Army Council later confirmed the tribunal’s findings and sentence on November 24, 2020.

However, dissatisfied with the outcome, Otiki approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging the legality of the proceedings and judgment.

During the appeal, his counsel, Israel Olorundare, argued that the former GOC neither stole the money nor attempted to conceal the incident, stressing that he promptly reported the loss and personally refunded the missing funds.

The defence further maintained that the projects linked to the funds had either been completed or were close to completion.

In its judgment delivered on December 5, 2024, the Court of Appeal nullified the entire proceedings of the General Court Martial, discharged and acquitted Otiki, restored him to the rank of Major General, and ordered the payment of all his salaries, allowances, entitlements, and refund of forfeited monies.

The Nigerian Army thereafter challenged the appellate court’s decision before the Supreme Court in appeal number SC/CR/96/2025, but the apex court on Friday affirmed the lower court’s ruling, finally clearing Otiki of all allegations.