Supreme Court Orders Resumption of ₦1.35bn Corruption Case Against Lamido

The Supreme Court has issued a directive for the resumption of the ₦1.35 billion corruption trial concerning former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, along with his two sons, Mustapha and Aminu, and their businesses.

In a ruling reached on Friday by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, the five-member panel of justices annulled the Court of Appeal's decision from July 2023 that had acquitted Lamido. The Supreme Court found the appeal from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be well-founded.

Consequently, the court has ordered Lamido and his co-defendants to return to the Federal High Court to respond to the accusations leveled against them by the EFCC.

Lamido, his sons, and their companies — Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited — face charges across 37 counts, including money laundering and misuse of office.

The EFCC claims that during his term as governor from 2007 to 2015, Lamido laundered ₦1.35 billion in illicit proceeds from contractors.

After the prosecution concluded its case, the defendants submitted a no-case application, which was dismissed by the Federal High Court on the grounds that there was enough evidence for them to present a defense.

However, the Court of Appeal later ruled in favor of the defendants, leading to their discharge. The Supreme Court now seeks to reinstate the case, compelling Lamido and his sons to face trial once again.