THE Supreme Court has directed that the trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, his two sons, and others over alleged ₦1.35 billion fraud continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A five-member panel of the apex court issued the ruling in two unanimous judgments, responding to appeals filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Court upheld the trial court’s earlier decision, which dismissed the Lamidos’ no-case submission, confirming that the defendants have a case to answer.
The appeals challenged the July 25, 2023, Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja, which had struck out the 37-count charges on grounds that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court, however, overturned that decision, reaffirming Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s earlier judgment at the Federal High Court, which required the Lamidos to enter their defense.
The EFCC alleges that between 2007 and 2015, Lamido misused his office, receiving kickbacks from companies awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government. Those charged alongside him include his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, Aminu Wada Abubakar, and two companies—Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
The Supreme Court also dismissed Aminu Sule Lamido’s appeal against his conviction for failing to declare $40,000 at an airport.
Aminu was arrested by the EFCC on December 11, 2012, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while preparing to travel to Cairo, Egypt.
He had declared $10,000 but was found with an additional $40,000, which he failed to report.
Convicted by the Federal High Court in Kano under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, he was ordered to forfeit 25 percent of the undeclared sum.
The Court of Appeal in Kaduna had earlier dismissed his appeal, and the Supreme Court upheld that ruling.
The continuation of these trials marks a critical stage in high-profile corruption cases involving former political leaders in Nigeria.