JUST IN; Appeal court orders reinstatement of dismissed officers
JUST IN; Appeal court orders reinstatement of dismissed officers
The Court of Appeal in Kaduna State has dismissed the Nigerian Defence Academy’s (NDA) appeal against the Federal High Court’s ruling in favor of the parents of the 67 Regular Course cadets who were wrongfully dismissed.
The court deemed the NDA’s appeal as lacking merit, affirming the earlier decision.
The NDA had sought to overturn the May 18, 2023, ruling by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, which ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed cadets and the payment of their entitlements, dating back to 2019.
In a landmark decision on March 20, 2025, the Appeal Court upheld the High Court’s ruling, instructing the NDA to immediately reinstate the dismissed cadets.
The court further ordered that the cadets be granted their Degree Certificates, acknowledging their completion of studies and participation in the academy’s convocation and the 67th Passing Out Parade held on October 5, 2019.
The case garnered significant attention, particularly after the House of Representatives reviewed a petition from Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 other parents concerning the unlawful dismissal of the cadets.
On February 24, 2021, the House had urged the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to ensure the reinstatement of the 15 cadet officers who had completed their training but were unjustly discharged.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi ruled, “There is no merit in the appeal. It fails and is hereby dismissed. The decision of the lower court delivered on 18/5/2023 is hereby affirmed. The 19th Respondents are entitled to costs, which is assessed at N300,000 against the Appellants.”
Barrister Asabe Ahmed, who represented the parents of the dismissed cadets, expressed her gratitude to the Appeal Court for upholding the Federal High Court’s judgment.
She called on the NDA to comply with the court’s order, emphasizing that the cadets must be reinstated and their entitlements paid without delay.
Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Daura, the Maradin Daura of Katsina State and spokesperson for the parents, also addressed reporters following the ruling.
He urged the NDA to respect the court’s decision and reinstate the cadets, who have been left without opportunity for over six years due to their wrongful dismissal.
“Let President Bola Tinubu and the leaders in the military, especially the Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Staff, consider what both court judgments have stated and ensure that justice is served for these children.
“We have already won them in the National Assembly, we proceeded to the Federal High Court, which rendered the same verdict. They are the ones who appealed the judgment at the Appeal Court, and their appeal was dismissed due to lack of merit. The judgment is clear.
“We plead with them to abide by the law of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These children, up until now, do not have degrees or any recognition. They are just waiting, and it is a pity. They have suffered enough; they should be allowed to go back and continue their service,” he said.
