Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of Army Officer Hakeem Otiki

The Supreme Court of Nigeria upheld the acquittal of Hakeem Otiki, a former General Officer Commanding the 8 Division in Sokoto, on Friday. The case originated in July 2019 when Otiki was accused of directing soldiers to transport N100 million intended for military quarter renovations, which reportedly went missing.

The Nigerian Army arraigned him before a General Court Martial on June 16, 2020, where he was convicted and dismissed from service, with a reduction in rank and severe reprimands issued. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Otiki appealed to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which ruled on December 5, 2024, to nullify the military tribunal's judgment, discharging and acquitting him, and restoring his rank of Major General along with ordering the payment of his salary and any forfeited funds.

The Nigerian Army subsequently challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, but the apex court affirmed the Court of Appeal's ruling, resolving the matter in favor of Otiki.