Supreme Court Revives ₦1.35bn Corruption Trial Against Sule Lamido, Sons

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the resumption of the long-running ₦1.35 billion corruption trial involving former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his sons, Mustapha and Aminu Lamido, effectively overturning their discharge by the Court of Appeal in 2023. In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court, the justices held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was right to challenge the appellate court’s ruling, which had struck out the case on technical grounds. The Supreme Court ruled that the lower court erred in law and directed that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja for continuation of trial. The defendants are facing 37 counts bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful conversion of public funds, allegedly committed during Sule Lamido’s tenure as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015. The EFCC claims that the accused persons laundered approximately ₦1.35 billion in illicit kickbacks linked to state contracts through various corporate entities. The Supreme Court’s judgment effectively restores the trial to the stage where the defendants are expected to open their defence, marking a major legal victory for the anti-graft agency after years of procedural delays. Separate Conviction UpheldOn the same day, the Supreme Court also dismissed a separate appeal filed by Aminu Sule Lamido challenging his conviction for failure to declare foreign currency. Aminu had been found guilty by lower courts for unlawfully transporting $40,000 without declaration at an international airport. The apex court upheld the conviction and affirmed the forfeiture order imposed against part of the undeclared funds, bringing an end to Aminu Lamido’s legal challenge in that case. The corruption case against Sule Lamido and his sons was initiated by the EFCC more than a decade ago and has passed through multiple judicial stages. While the trial court had earlier ruled that the prosecution established a prima facie case, the defendants were discharged by the Court of Appeal in July 2023, a decision that sparked public debate and prompted the EFCC’s appeal to the Supreme Court. With the latest ruling, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the principle that corruption cases should be determined on their substantive merits rather than technicalities. The defendants are now expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial resumes. Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing resolve to ensure accountability in high-profile corruption cases. Neither the defence team nor the EFCC has issued an official statement at the time of filing this report. Revives ₦1.35bn Corruption Trial Against Sule Lamido, Sons The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the resumption of the long-running ₦1.35 billion corruption trial involving former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his sons, Mustapha and Aminu Lamido, effectively overturning their discharge by the Court of Appeal in 2023. In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court, the justices held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was right to challenge the appellate court’s ruling, which had struck out the case on technical grounds. The Supreme Court ruled that the lower court erred in law and directed that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court in Abuja for continuation of trial. The defendants are facing 37 counts bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful conversion of public funds, allegedly committed during Sule Lamido’s tenure as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015. The EFCC claims that the accused persons laundered approximately ₦1.35 billion in illicit kickbacks linked to state contracts through various corporate entities. The Supreme Court’s judgment effectively restores the trial to the stage where the defendants are expected to open their defence, marking a major legal victory for the anti-graft agency after years of procedural delays. Separate Conviction UpheldOn the same day, the Supreme Court also dismissed a separate appeal filed by Aminu Sule Lamido challenging his conviction for failure to declare foreign currency. Aminu had been found guilty by lower courts for unlawfully transporting $40,000 without declaration at an international airport. The apex court upheld the conviction and affirmed the forfeiture order imposed against part of the undeclared funds, bringing an end to Aminu Lamido’s legal challenge in that case. The corruption case against Sule Lamido and his sons was initiated by the EFCC more than a decade ago and has passed through multiple judicial stages. While the trial court had earlier ruled that the prosecution established a prima facie case, the defendants were discharged by the Court of Appeal in July 2023, a decision that sparked public debate and prompted the EFCC’s appeal to the Supreme Court. With the latest ruling, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the principle that corruption cases should be determined on their substantive merits rather than technicalities. The defendants are now expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial resumes. Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing resolve to ensure accountability in high-profile corruption cases. Neither the defence team nor the EFCC has issued an official statement at the time of filing this report.