Brigadier General Mohammed Aminu Abdullahi has Tuesday 11 July 2023 assumed command as the 38th Commandant Depot Nigerian Army Zaria Kaduna state.

in his valedictory remarks the outgone Commandant Major General Peter Malla thanked officers and soldiers of Depot NA for their support in his ten months tenure as the commandant. He therefore urged them to extend same gesture to his successor. .

He said that during his tour of duty, deliberate efforts were made to drive the administrative, training and logistics activities of Depot Nigerian Army, in the direction that conform to the contemporary and anticipated future threats bedeviling the nation.

He said the rejigging of the training activities was aimed at ensuring that the young able-bodied Nigerians being chunked out of Depot Nigerian Army were well trained in accordance with the reality of the contemporary operating environment of the Nigerian Army so as to enhance their readiness to confront the odious tasks that awaits them in the field. He thanked the COAS, Taoreed Lagbaja for all the support he has rendered to Depot NA during his tenure as the Commandant.

In his remarks, the incoming Commandant commended the Maj Gen Mala for his laudable achievement of ensuring mission specific training while pledging to consolidate on the achievement of his predecessor in line with the COAS command Philosophy which is to “Transform the Nigerian Army into a well- trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.

He therefore appreciated the COAS for giving him the opportunity to serve in his capacity while urging officers and men of the oldest NA institution to cooperate and support him for successful training of the fighting machines of the NA.

Highlight of the event was the symbolic signing of handing and taking over notes, presentation of Depot lag NA Flag to the incoming Commandant and decorations of Depot NA insignia.
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The Army Headquarters has noted yet another ill-conceived report by Sahara Reporters on a sub-judice and ongoing Court Martial process of Major General UM Mohammed, the erstwhile Group Managing Director (GMD) Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), who was indicted by a military police investigation and recommended for trial.

It is expedient to clear the air on the despicably false report and calculated attempt to cast aspersion on the ongoing Court Martial, which has already progressed to an advanced stage, as the prosecution has put forward the evidence against General Mohammed and closed its case. The accused senior officer has opened his defence and is testifying as Defence Witness One (DW1).

For the avoidance of doubts, without being sub-judicial, the former GMD NAPL is facing trial in relation to alleged offences of theft of various sums of money belonging to NAPL and forgery. These are all acts declared as offences punishable under the provisions of various extant penal Laws in Nigeria.

To set the records straight, upon investigation and indictment of the accused senior officer by military police investigations, the Army Headquarters convened a Special Court Martial to try the Senior Officer as a procedure to legally recover the sums of money he allegedly fraudulently acquired from the coffers of NAPL during his tenure as GMD. The details of the outcome of the Court Martial will be provided at the end of the Court Martial proceedings.

However, it is instructive to point out that Court Martial trials are lawfully provided in the Armed Forces Act (AFA) as one of the disciplinary tools in the Armed Forces. The Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have, in multiple instances, validated the procedures, findings, and sentences of Court-martial. Court Martials, like all other criminal trials, are held in the open. The trial of Major General UM Mohammed is taking place at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro Abuja and is not shrouded in secrecy as being wrongly insinuated. The trial has been open, and the Defence has presented adequate representation in court. The accused senior officer’s family members, friends, and associates attend and observe the Court proceedings to date without hindrance.

It is factual that Maj Gen UM Mohammed ought to have proceeded on retirement, however, provisions of the Armed Forces Act (specifically Section 169) permit the retention in service of such personnel who has pending disciplinary case(s) to allow extant legal processes.

Furthermore, it is also a fact that members of the Special Court Martial trying Maj Gen Mohammed are all junior to him. This is permissible in special circumstances, as the Armed Forces Act provides for this contingency in Section 133(7), where the Convening Officer is required to obtain the consent of an appropriate superior to appoint any such officers as members of the court. The requisite consent was obtained before convening the Special Court Martial trying the accused senior officer.

It is worthy of note that General Mohammed is being defended by a legal team comprising 2 Senior Advocates and 6 lawyers, including a retired military officer. He is currently being detained at a military location purpose-built for such detention, where the rights and well-being of such detainees are given prime consideration. Though at the onset of the trial, Maj Gen Mohammed requested to be granted bail inter-alia on health grounds, the Court in considering the bail application, took cognizance of the humongous amount of monies allegedly stolen in the indictment, which could encourage the accused senior officer to abscond. The Court, therefore, declined the application for bail. The Court, however, granted visitation rights to some family members, including his two wives, son, daughter, and brother as requested by the accused officer. These persons have been visiting him regularly at the detention facility.

On the issue of the accused senior officer’s health; as with all other Court Martial trials, Maj Gen Mohammed’s state of health is examined daily to determine his fitness to stand trial before the commencement of proceedings for the day. The holding facility where he is detained is serviced by the Army Command and NAOWA Hospital and these medical facilities are open to him whenever required.

It is crucial to state clearly, that it is inappropriate and amounts to unlawful interference with the administration of justice to peddle inaccurate reports and comments on a matter currently under judicial adjudication (sub-judice). All the statements reported to have been made about certain persons and funds disbursement were made in the course of the trial by a witness in the defence of his case. We shall, therefore not comment on those statements to maintain the sanctity of the trial and its outcome.

Sahara Reporters is enjoined to practice responsible journalism and refrain from subjective, inaccurate, and inappropriate reporting of matters currently sub-judice.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
14 May 2023

As part of activities schedule for the Passing Out Parade of Cadets of the Nigeria Defence Academy of 69 Regular Course, on Thursdays 6th October 2022, the Academy held its prize giving day and beating of retreat on Friday 30th September 2022.

The exercise signifies the culmination of the training period for cadets, while the award ceremony is an opportunity to reward hardwork by individual cadets who have excelled in military training.

The Mogadishu Battalion emerged the overall winners with 9 trophies which include , Shooting Competition, Drill Competition, Ex Camp Highland, Table Tennis, Badminton, Boxing , Judo, Cross Country Event and Volley Ball at the prize giving ceremony and received the trophy from the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal IO Amao, who was the special guest of honour.

The event which held at the Afaka Parade Ground, NDA attracted dignitaries, including the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal IO Amao, Principal Staff Officers of the Defence and Svc Hqtrs, Corps Commanders, General Officer Commanding and Air Officer Commanding, Director Generals and Commandants of Various Svc Institutions and host of others

20 sparkling trophies for the 69 Regular Course presented in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Other battalions that participated in the beating of retreat were Abyssinia Battalion winner in 4 competition Exercise Camp Initial, Exercise Camp Farauta, Athletics event, and Basketball competition, Burma Batalion winner of 2 in Obstacle crossing and Interior Economy, Dallet Battalion winners of 5 which include , SitUp & Beam Heaving Event, Swimming, Football, Handball, Tug of War Event.

Awards were also presented to cadets who distinguished themselves in various sporting activities for male and female categories .