A General Court Martial of the Nigerian Air Force has found Master Warrant Officer Isah Ribah guilty of several charges involving financial complaints from multiple individuals and ordered him to pay a total of about ₦12.35 million in restitution.
One of the complainants, Lagos-based graphics designer Laraba Umaru, was awarded ₦2.15 million, representing the balance of money she said remained unpaid after she transferred ₦3 million to Ribah in February 2023.
According to Umaru, Ribah had asked for the money, claiming that his mother urgently needed a kidney transplant. He allegedly promised to repay the money within three days, with 10 per cent interest.
Umaru said she eventually received about ₦850,000 through several payments but never recovered the remaining ₦2.15 million.
She reported the matter to the Nigerian Air Force, and after years of investigations and legal proceedings, Ribah was eventually tried before a General Court Martial.
Military documents obtained by SaharaReporters showed that Ribah faced a 10-count charge. He was found guilty on several counts.
On the count involving Umaru, the court found him guilty of conduct to the prejudice of service discipline under Section 103(1) of the Armed Forces Act. He was sentenced to a severe reprimand and ordered to pay ₦2.15 million to Umaru.
The court also ordered restitution to several other complainants, including:
₦2.492 million to MWO Bako E.
₦2.6 million to Ambrose Ogeh.
₦700,000 to Obom Nsikakabasi.
₦1.66 million to MWO Sagbe Fubara (Rtd).
₦1.65 million to MWO Ojugbeli.
₦1.2 million to Mrs Halima Ibrahim.
On another count, Ribah was found guilty of disobedience to standing orders and was reduced in rank from Master Warrant Officer to Warrant Officer, with four years’ seniority on the new rank.
He was found not guilty on Count Ten and discharged and acquitted on that charge, while another count concerning an alleged civil offence of cheating was withdrawn during the trial.
The Nigerian Air Force Headquarters subsequently confirmed the court martial’s findings and awards in July 2026.
However, Umaru says she has still not received the ₦2.15 million awarded to her.
She said that after contacting military authorities, she was directed to write another letter, copy relevant authorities and send it to Abuja for further action.
Umaru said she is now financially exhausted after spending years travelling, seeking legal assistance and following up on the case.
“I provided evidence. I testified. I waited for the confirmation,” she said.
“Yet I have still not received the money.”
She also said other victims are still waiting for their awarded funds and called for the restitution orders to be implemented.
The case has raised questions about how restitution awarded by a military court is enforced after the findings have been formally confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.
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