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Victory At Last! Supreme Court Judgement Favours Military Veterans Over Land and Rank

Published

6 hours ago

March 11, 2026

After years of legal battles and prolonged uncertainty, a group of Military veterans has finally secured victory at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which ruled in their favour in a dispute involving landed property and restoration of Major General Ibrahim Sani’s rank.

The judgement brings to a close a long-lingering case between the veterans and the Nigerian Army, ending a protracted legal contest that had moved through several layers of the judicial system before reaching the nation’s apex court.

At the heart of the dispute was a parcel of land Plot 2303 Asokoro Cad A04 behind Mogadishu Cantonment (formerly Sani Abacha Barracks) originally allocated to veterans who served the country in various military operations, including peacekeeping missions under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and other national assignments.

The veterans had argued that the property was meant to serve as part of their welfare and post-service entitlements in recognition of their sacrifices during active service, particularly in conflict and peacekeeping operations.

Following years of litigation, the Supreme Court affirmed the position of the veterans, ruling that their claims were valid and that the rights attached to the property should be respected.

In the case marked SC/1497C/2019, the Nigerian Army is the appellant while Major General I. Sani is the respondent on behalf of the veterans. The judgment was delivered on January 30, 2026, by Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya (Justice, Supreme Court) alongside alongside other four justices of the apex court.

According to the court records, the appeal stems from an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, delivered on April 18, 2019, which nullified the ruling of the Special Court Martial and ordered a retrial of the case. The Special Court Martial had earlier convicted the General and sentenced him to a reduction in rank and restitution of money contributed by Military veterans for infrastructure development.

Court documents indicate that the case originated from allegations involving the misuse of public service property, falsification of documents and related offences under the Armed Forces Act. The charges were linked to issues surrounding an uncharted land bordering Nigeria Army’s Land Plot 2302 behind Mogadishu Cantonment Asokoro Abuja.

The respondent, who served as a Major General and Chief of Transformation and Innovation at Army Headquarters at the time, was arraigned before the General Court Martial on a nine-count charge. After the trial, the court martial found him guilty on several counts and imposed sanctions, though he was acquitted on some of the charges.

However, stakeholders at that time expressed concern on the jurisdiction of the special military court marshal to preside over land matters as provided in the incorporation of the Land Use Act of 1978, which is solidified in Section 315(5)(d).

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the General approached the Court of Appeal, which subsequently ruled in his favour, setting aside the conviction and directing that the matter be retried.

However, the Nigerian Army challenged the appellate court’s ruling at the Supreme Court, arguing that the Appeal Court erred in law by overturning the decision of the Special Court Martial.
“On the whole, having resolve the duo issues against the appellant, the destiny of the appeal is obvious. It is destitute of any morsel of merit and the reserve penalty of dismissal. Consequently, I dismiss the appeal. Accordingly, the judgement of the lower court, in appeal No. CA/A/791C/2017, delivered on the 18th April, 2019, which set aside the decision of the GCM and ordered a retrial of the respondent in charge No. NA /COAS/G/1/39, delivered on the 20th July, 2017 is hereby affirmed in it’s entirety.”

OBANDE FESTUS OGBUINYA (Justice, Supreme Court).

In a further clarification, an Abuja based Legal Practitioner explained that the term “set aside” as uphold in the ruling of the Apex Court simply means that the court has vacated or void a prior order, as if the order/judgement never existed i.e that the Court Martial effort/exercise never existed.

During the proceedings, the apex court also considered a preliminary objection raised by the respondent, which sought to dismiss the appeal on grounds that some of the grounds of appeal were incompetent. After reviewing the arguments of both parties, the court dismissed the objection and proceeded to consider the substantive issues raised in the appeal.

The decision was received with excitement and relief among the affected veterans, many of whom had waited for years to see justice served after what they described as a difficult and exhausting legal journey.

Some of the surviving beneficiaries of the land and next of kin of the deceased expressed gratitude to the judiciary for standing by the principles of justice and fairness, noting that the ruling restores confidence in the rule of law.

Family members of some of the deceased veterans who died while waiting for the resolution of the case also welcomed the judgement, saying it brings honour to the memory of those who served the country but did not live to witness the outcome.

Legal observers commented that the ruling underscores the authority of the courts in safeguarding the rights and welfare of military personnel, especially in matters concerning their entitlements after service.

For the veterans, however, the judgement represents more than a legal victory. It marks the end of a long struggle and the beginning of the renewed hope agenda of the current administration for military veterans.

Business

Pumpkin Property Introduces Nigeria’s First Starlink-Powered Housing Initiative

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Daily Mirror

Pumpkin Property, a fast-growing real estate development firm committed to creating modern, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions across Nigeria, has announced a groundbreaking initiative that integrates high-speed satellite internet into its housing projects, redefining modern living standards in the country.

Under this initiative, homebuyers in selected Pumpkin Property estates will receive Starlink hardware, professional installation, and three months of complimentary high-speed internet subscription upon purchasing a home.

The initiative will initially be available in Prime Living Estate and Prime View Estate located within Millennium City, Kaduna, as well as Pumpkin Homes located in Karsana, Abuja.

Pumpkin Property focuses on developing well-planned residential communities supported by essential infrastructure—including road networks, drainage systems, street lighting, and modern utilities—while embracing innovative technology that enhances residents’ quality of life.

To support the rollout of this initiative, Pumpkin Property has entered into a collaboration agreement with Konga Online Nigeria Limited for the supply, installation, and technical support of Starlink hardware and related connectivity products across Pumpkin housing projects and real estate developments in Nigeria.

In addition, Pumpkin Property has partnered with TD Africa, an authorized distributor of Starlink solutions in Africa. Through this partnership, Pumpkin Property will have direct access to the latest Starlink hardware, including Starlink kits and accessories, ensuring reliable deployment within its estates.

Starlink, the satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, delivers high-speed broadband connectivity through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites. The technology expands access to reliable internet in regions where traditional fibre or terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. As Elon Musk explained:

“Starlink is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to places where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.”

Speaking on the initiative, the CEO of Pumpkin Holdings Limited, Mr Oladeji Bamidele, emphasized the growing importance of digital infrastructure in modern housing developments.

“Connectivity has become as essential as electricity and water in modern communities. By integrating Starlink technology into our housing developments, we are ensuring that our homeowners enjoy reliable high-speed internet from the moment they move in. This initiative reflects our commitment to building future-ready communities across Nigeria.”

By integrating satellite connectivity into its housing projects, Pumpkin Property is positioning itself at the forefront of technology-enabled real estate development in Nigeria, setting a new benchmark for smart living communities.

Prospective homeowners and investors interested in the Starlink-powered homes at Prime Living Estate and Prime View Estate in Millennium City, Kaduna, and Pumpkin Homes in Karsana, Abuja, are encouraged to contact Pumpkin Property for further information on availability and purchase options.

Cover

Pumpkin Property Introduces Nigeria’s First Starlink-Powered Housing Initiative

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Daily Mirror

The initiative will initially be available in Prime Living Estate and Prime View Estate located within Millennium City, Kaduna, as well as Pumpkin Homes located in Karsana, Abuja.

“Starlink is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to places where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.”

Speaking on the initiative, the CEO of Pumpkin Holdings Limited, Mr Oladeji Bamidele, emphasized the growing importance of digital infrastructure in modern housing developments.

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IPSAW to Tinubu: Remove NAFDAC DG Over Controversial Sachet Alcohol Ban

Published

10 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Daily Mirror

The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, accusing her of gross incompetence and abuse of public office over the enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and small PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Executive Director of IPSAW, Stephen Eriba, described the action of NAFDAC as illegal, arbitrary and in violation of Nigeria’s National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health.

He alleged that the enforcement also disregards a presidential directive restraining the agency from disrupting the operations of affected companies pending the outcome of a joint committee reviewing the matter.

Eriba further argued that the decision contradicts the resolution of the House of Representatives, which had earlier urged the regulatory body to suspend the planned ban after consultations with stakeholders during a public hearing.

According to him, the move threatens thousands of jobs across the alcohol production value chain and could lead to economic disruption by forcing companies to halt production and distribution of sachet and small PET bottle alcoholic drinks.

The group warned that the policy could also open the market to illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, encourage smuggling, and reduce government revenue from legitimate manufacturers.

IPSAW maintained that the availability of alcohol in smaller sachets and bottles provides affordable options for low-income adult consumers and does not necessarily promote abuse as claimed by regulators.

While acknowledging the need to eliminate unsafe products from the market, the group insisted that regulatory decisions must be based on verifiable research and stakeholder engagement rather than what it described as “emotional persuasion.”

IPSAW therefore urged President Tinubu to wield what it called “the big stick” by removing Adeyeye from office, arguing that her continued stay as NAFDAC’s Director-General is no longer in the public interest.