THE STATE
V.
OLATUNJI
·
State v. Olatunji (2003) 14 NWLR (Pt. 839) 138
U. A. KALGO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The respondent was a Squadron Leader in the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Lagos. His force No. was NAF/1217. He was one of the nine pay officers of the Pay and Accounting Group (PAG) under the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) of the Nigerian Air Force, Lagos. All the nine pay officers including the respondent were charged with various criminal offences and were tried and convicted by a General Court Martial (GCM) and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The respondent was the 6th accused before the G.C.M., and was charged with nine counts of conspiracy, stealing, receiving stolen property, illegal possession of firearms and disobedience to standing order. He, with other eight officers, were arraigned before the G.C.M. on the 26th of July, 1996. The charges against him were read and explained to him and he pleaded not guilty. The case was then adjourned to 6th August, 1996 for hearing.
On the 6th of August, 19…