The Court of Appeal in Kaduna State has rejected the Nigerian Defence Academy’s (NDA) appeal against an earlier ruling that favoured the parents of cadets from the 67 Regular Course. The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and upheld the previous judgement.

The NDA had sought to overturn the Federal High Court’s decision of 18 May 2023, which ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed cadets and the payment of their entitlements dating back to 2019.

Delivering its verdict on 20 March 2025, the Appeal Court reaffirmed the High Court’s ruling, directing the NDA to immediately reinstate all affected cadets, grant them their degree certificates, and recognise their participation in the academy’s convocation and 67th Passing Out Parade held on 5 October 2019.

The case had earlier drawn public attention when the House of Representatives received a petition from Mohammed Ibrahim and 53 other concerned parents, challenging the dismissal of the cadets. On 24 February 2021, the House called on the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff to instruct the NDA commandant to reinstate 15 cadet officers who had completed their training but were allegedly dismissed unlawfully.

Delivering the judgement, 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 affirmed. The 19th Respondents are entitled to costs, which are assessed at ?300,000 against the Appellants.”

Reacting to the ruling, Barrister Asabe Ahmed, counsel for the dismissed cadets’ parents, commended the Appeal Court for upholding justice in the matter.

“We call on the NDA to comply with the judgement 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 reporters 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 judgements 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 judgement at the Appeal Court, and their appeal was dismissed due to lack of merit. The judgement 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. (Nigerian Tribune)