Court Martial convicts Otiki, orders his dismissal over missing funds

The General Officer Commanding 8 Divison (GOC), Sokoto, Major Gen Hakeem Oladapo Otiki, has been convicted by a General Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army for stealing money belonging to the Service.

The Court found him guilty on all five count charges, thereby ordering his dismissal from Service with “disgrace and dishonour”.

The Court, which was headed by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Lt. Gen Lamidi Adeosun, also found him guilty of disobedience to Service Orders and theft of public property, among others.

Apart from dismissal from Service with ‘disgrace and dishonour’, the Court further punished him as it ordered his demotion in his rank from Major General to Brig General, as well as severe reprimand.

The pronouncements are however subject to confirmation of the Army Council.

The Court also ordered that all monies totalling N135.8million, $6,600 recovered by the Special Investigation Bureau be returned to the coffers of the Nigerian Army, while another N150million stolen money which could not be accounted for, should also be returned to the coffers of the Nigerian Army.

Earlier in his final submission, the lead Counsel for Major General Otiki, Barr. Israel Olorundare SAN, pleaded for clemency and urged the General Court Martial to temper justice with mercy saying it should not use a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

He reminded the court that Otiki was a very  disciplined officer  and a good manager of resources.