The Supreme Court has ordered former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, his sons Aminu and Mustapha, and others to enter their defence at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged N1.35 billion fraud.
In unanimous judgments on Friday, the apex court upheld the EFCC’s appeals and set aside a 2023 Court of Appeal ruling that struck out the 43-count charge for lack of jurisdiction.
The EFCC, in the 43-count charge, among others, accused Lamido of money laundering, and abuse of office while holding sway as governor between 2007 and 2015.
The other defendants are Lamido’s two sons – Aminu and Mustapha. Others are Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies – Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
The EFCC, at the Supreme Court, argued that the Court of Appeal erred in law by discharging the defendants despite evidence linking them to the alleged offences.
The court reinstated the trial court’s decision, affirming that the defendants must answer charges bordering on money laundering and abuse of office.
