A military court has found a Military General incompetent for authorising the transportation of a large sum of money went missing with the soldiers who were conveying it and ordered for his demotion and dismissal.
Hakeem Oladapo Okiti was found guilty by the general court-martial of five charges and ordered that he should be sacked with “disgrace and dishonour”. Major General Hakeem Okiti is due to retire this year.
It will be recalled that Gen. Okiti who was the General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army 8 Division in Sokoto had in July, 2019 sent five soldiers to move money from Sokoto to ABUJA by land but unfortunately to him the money got missing together with solders.
The army’s chief of policy and plans Lamidi Adeosun who headed the Court found Mr Okiti guilty of disobedience to service orders, theft of public property, diversion of operational money and engaging in a private businesses hence the order for his demotion and dismissal.
According to premium times report, the court also ordered that all the monies recovered totalling #135.8 million, $6600, plus another r#150 Million which could not be accounted for, be returned to the coffers of the Nigerian Army.
However this judgement is subject to approval of the army council.
Mr. Okiti’s lawyer, Israel Olorundare SAN, pleaded with the court to show mercy on client, he also told the court that the sum of #100 million which the soldiers that were asked to escort the money stole, and that some of the projects for which #150 million was released to Gen. Okiti were either completed or about to be completed.
The lawyer in submission continued that Gen Okiti is the bread winner of his family and that a “career built for 35years is coming to an end is very sad note”.
However the Mr. Olorundare said they will a representation to the appropriate convening authority to note that his client did not steal the money as he was the one who reported the incident and sourced for the money and returned it, so there is a great need for the second look at this judgement.
PRNigeria reported that Gen. Okiti whose wife is seriously sick is also sick as he was brought to the court on a wheelchair.
Gen. Okiti was the Commander Infantry Corps in Jaji Kaduna before his was appointed the GOC of 8 Division in March, 2019.
According to PRNigeria Mr. Okiti was a contemporary of the President of the Court martial, Mr. Adeosun, a lieutenant general, as both were enlisted to Nigerian Army at Different times in 1983.
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