Supreme Court Resurrects N1.35bn Fraud Case Against Ex-Governor Sule Lamido and Sons


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-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered a major blow to former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ordering him and his two sons, Mustapha and Aminu, to return to court to face trial over an alleged N1.35 billion money laundering scheme.

​In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, a five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro set aside a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal that had cleared the defendants. The apex court slammed the lower court’s decision to terminate the case on technical grounds, insisting that the matter must be heard on its merits at the Federal High Court.

​Key Highlights of the Ruling

​The Supreme Court's intervention marks a significant victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Here are the core components of the judgment:

  • ​Trial Reinstated: The court nullified the discharge of Sule Lamido and his son, Mustapha, effectively reviving the EFCC’s multi-billion naira fraud charges.
  • ​Technicalities Rejected: The justices emphasized that the Court of Appeal erred by ending the case on procedural technicalities rather than allowing the trial to conclude.
  • ​Case Remanded: The case has been sent back to the Federal High Court for the continuation of hearing.

​Aminu Lamido’s Double Loss: $40,000 Forfeiture Upheld

​In a separate but related judgment, the apex court also addressed the legal woes of the Governor’s son, Aminu Sule Lamido.

​The court upheld his conviction regarding the non-declaration of foreign currency. Aminu was arrested in December 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while traveling to Egypt. Although he declared the statutory $10,000, investigators found an additional $40,000 on his person.

​The Timeline of the Forfeiture Case:

  1. ​July 2015: The Federal High Court in Kano convicted Aminu, ordering him to forfeit 25% of the undeclared sum to the Federal Government.
  2. ​December 2015: The Court of Appeal in Kaduna upheld the conviction.
  3. ​January 2026: The Supreme Court dismissed Aminu’s final appeal, sealing the forfeiture and the conviction.

​The Legal Context

​The EFCC's pursuit of the Lamido family has spanned over a decade, involving charges of money laundering and false currency declaration under the Money Laundering Act. This Supreme Court ruling ensures that the N1.35 billion fraud allegations will finally see a full trial, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria's ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

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