The Nigerian Army on Tuesday began the trial of Maj Gen Hakeem Otiki, former General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto State over the alleged diversion of the sum of N400 million by some soldiers in the division.
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Five soldiers under his division were confirmed to have made away with the money back in July. The soldiers were on escort assignment whilst the money was en route to Kaduna state from Sokoto state to a personality simply designated as “Very Important Personality”.
The Nigerian Army has identified the runaway soldiers as Corporal Gabriel Oluwaniyi, Corporal Mohammed Aminu, one Corporal Haruna, Oluji Joshua, and Hayatudeen.
With the runaway soldiers still at large, the trial of Maj Gen Hakeem Otiki at the General Court Marshal, which sat at the Army Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, began at about 12:30 pm on Tuesday.
The General Court Marshal is presided over by the army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Maj Gen Lamidi Adeosun.
More on this story soon…