S’Court Orders Continuation of N1.35bn Trial of Sule Lamido, Sons

The Supreme Court has ordered the continuation of the trial of Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State, and his sons over alleged money laundering involving N1.35 billion.

In a judgement delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court set aside the decision of the court of appeal, which had upheld a no-case submission filed by Lamido and the other defendants.

In the lead judgement, Justice Abubakar Umar overturned the July 25, 2023, ruling of the appellate court and affirmed the earlier decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The trial court, presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, had dismissed the no-case submissions and ordered the defendants to open their defence.

Justice Umar held that the appeal court erred in law when it discharged the defendants and struck out the charges, noting that the trial court was right to have assumed jurisdiction and proceeded with the case.

Background

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Lamido and two of his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, in 2015 on 37 amended counts bordering on money laundering.

Other defendants in the case include Aminu Abubakar, a business associate of the former governor, as well as four companies, namely Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminium Limited, Speeds International Limited and Bartholomew Darlington Agoha.

The anti-graft agency called 16 witnesses before closing its case in 2022.

Rather than present their defence, the defendants filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

On September 20, 2022, Justice Ojukwu dismissed the application and ordered the defendants to open their defence. The ruling was subsequently challenged at the Court of Appeal.

In its judgement, the appellate court, led by Justice Adamu Waziri, held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, ruling that the alleged offences ought to have been filed in Jigawa State, where they were said to have been committed.

The Court of Appeal consequently discharged Lamido and his sons.

However, the Supreme Court disagreed with that position, nullified the appellate court’s judgement, and directed that the trial should continue at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

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Rafiyat SADIQ

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Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.