The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the continuation of the trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, his two sons, and other defendants over an alleged ₦1.35 billion fraud. The case will proceed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A five-member panel of the apex court delivered the ruling in two unanimous judgments on Friday, arising from appeals filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The appeals challenged the July 25, 2023, decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which had upheld no-case submissions by Lamido and his co-defendants and struck out the 37-count charge, citing lack of jurisdiction by the Federal High Court.
In the lead judgment, Justice Abubakar Umar overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling and reaffirmed an earlier decision by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court.
Justice Umar ruled that the trial court was correct in dismissing the no-case submissions and instructing the defendants to present their defence.
According to the EFCC, Lamido is alleged to have abused his office as governor between 2007 and 2015, laundering funds purportedly obtained as kickbacks from companies awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government during his tenure.
The anti-graft agency accused Lamido and his co-defendants of multiple offences, including money laundering, in the 37-count charge.
Those facing trial alongside Lamido include his sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, Aminu Wada Abubakar, and two companies, Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited.
