In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Army has been accused of preventing journalists from covering the court-martial trial of Major General U.M. Mohammed, despite earlier claims that the trial would be open to the public and the media.
The trial, which has been ongoing secretly since September 2022, revolves around allegations of fraud and stealing brought against Mohammed, who was previously in charge of the Nigerian Army Property Limited (NAPL) and had close ties to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.).
According to a prominent news outlet, initially reported on Mohammed’s secret detention after exposing his involvement in money laundering activities for Buratai. However, the Nigerian Army’s statement contradicted these claims, asserting that the trial was transparent and accessible to all.
Nevertheless, it has now come to light that journalists were denied access to cover the proceedings, despite the Army’s assurance of an open trial.
The court-martial has brought to light several allegations against Mohammed, with revelations that he confessed to being instructed by Buratai to launder funds and facilitate illegal activities. One such revelation is that Buratai allegedly requested $730,000 to obtain Saudi Arabian citizenship, purportedly to evade accountability for the army’s actions during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
Mohammed also disclosed that he disbursed funds for the trips of Buratai’s wives and financed various military activities, including the inauguration of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State.
Further details emerged, suggesting that Mohammed was directed by Buratai to make substantial payments to certain Muslim clerics who allegedly influenced the decision-making process within the military.
The court proceedings unveiled a web of corruption, where funds were allocated for personal interests and foreign trips for high-ranking military officials, including some who served as members of the court-martial panel.
Critics questioned why Mohammed did not refuse these requests as the Managing Director of NAPL, citing the military’s strict adherence to orders and the potential consequences of insubordination. Mohammed’s position within the army, however, did not exempt him from the alleged illegalities he carried out on behalf of Buratai.
It is worth noting that Mohammed’s detention, which began in January 2022, has been riddled with controversy. The army authorities, seemingly unwilling to retire him despite his eligibility for retirement two years prior, have kept him in custody.
Sources claim that Mohammed had intended to expose Buratai’s involvement in various illicit activities when the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff. Tragically, before he could reveal this information, Attahiru lost his life in a plane crash in Kaduna.
As the court-martial unfolds, it has been alleged that Mohammed has already implicated Buratai in property acquisitions for politicians, including the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the use of NAPL funds to finance President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential campaign.
In response to SaharaReporters’ report and the growing public scrutiny, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, acknowledged that Mohammed should have retired but stated that the Armed Forces Act allows for the retention of personnel with pending disciplinary cases.
Nwachukwu also addressed concerns regarding the composition of the court-martial panel, noting that its members are junior to Mohammed, citing specific provisions in the Armed Forces Act that permit such arrangements under special circumstances.