By Daniel Peters in Kaduna.
The Appeal Court in Kaduna State has dismissed the appeal brought by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) against the ruling in favour of the parents of 67 Regular Course cadets.
The court deemed the appeal to be without merit.
The NDA had sought to overturn a prior decision made by the Federal High Court in Kaduna on May 18, 2023, which mandated the reinstatement of the dismissed cadets and the payment of their entitlements dating back to 2019.
On March 20, 2025, the Appeal Court affirmed the High Court’s verdict, ordering the NDA to promptly reinstate all dismissed cadets and grant them 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.
Our correspondent recalls that the case earlier gained attention when the House of Representatives reviewed a petition from Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 other concerned parents regarding the unlawful dismissal of the cadets.
On February 24, 2021, the House urged the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to direct the NDA’s Commandant to swiftly reinstate the 15 cadet officers who had completed their training but were wrongfully discharged.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, stated, “It is hereby ordered that 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, representing the parents of the dismissed cadets, expressed gratitude to the Appeal Court for upholding the Federal High Court’s judgment.
“We call on the NDA to comply with the judgment by reinstating the dismissed cadets and paying them all their entitlements according to the court order,” she emphasised, underscoring her commitment to ensuring compliance.
Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Daura, the Maradin Daura of Katsina State and a spokesperson for the parents, while addressing journalists regarding the ruling, urged the NDA to adhere to the court’s decision and reinstate their children, who have been idle for over six years following 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 pleaded.
