Supreme Court Acquits Major-General Hakeem Otiki After Military Conviction Overturned

Six years after initial media reports raised questions about his trial, the Supreme Court has finally cleared Major-General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki (rtd) of all charges. A five-member panel unanimously upheld a Court of Appeal decision that had nullified his 2020 conviction by a General Court Martial. Otiki had been dismissed, demoted and severely reprimanded over the disappearance of ₦100 million during a military operation in July 2019. He consistently maintained his innocence, insisting he reported the theft and refunded the missing funds promptly. With the apex court’s ruling dismissing the Nigerian Army’s appeal, his rank is restored and all entitlements are to be paid. The judgment follows earlier findings that his prosecution may have been influenced by political tensions surrounding a Sokoto governorship election. The ruling brings closure to one of Nigeria’s most controversial military trials and underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding due process.

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