The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal which nullified the conviction and sentence handed to former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki by a General Court Martial.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday by a five-member panel, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the Nigerian Army in suit number SC/CR/96/2025 and upheld the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal in favour of Major General Otiki.

Otiki was accused of issues relating to the movement of ₦100 million on July 11, 2019, allegedly meant for the purchase of furniture for renovated military quarters, but which was reportedly stolen by soldiers assigned to transport the money and who later deserted the army.

On June 16, 2020, a General Court Martial convicted him on all counts and sentenced him to dismissal from the Nigerian Army with disgrace and dishonour. He was also reduced in rank from Major General to Brigadier General and issued a severe reprimand.

The findings and sentence were subsequently confirmed by the Army Council on November 24, 2020.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the General Court Martial, Otiki appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in appeal number CA/ABJ/CR/54/2022.

In its judgment delivered on December 5, 2024, the appellate court allowed the appeal, nullified the entire proceedings and judgment 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 subsequently challenged the appellate court’s decision at the Supreme Court, which has now affirmed the judgment and brought the legal battle to a close.