Supreme Court Directs Resumption of Sule Lamido’s ₦1.35 Billion Corruption Trial- Gossip News Now

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Nigeria’s Supreme Court has cleared the legal obstacles that previously stalled the corruption case involving former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ordering the continuation of proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ruling restores criminal charges that had earlier been dismissed, effectively returning the matter to trial stage after years of legal contest.

Apex Court Overturns Earlier Appeal Decision

In two unanimous judgments delivered by a five-member panel, the Supreme Court sided with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which challenged an earlier appellate ruling that terminated the prosecution.

The justices concluded that the Court of Appeal erred when it upheld a no-case submission filed by Lamido and other defendants. According to the apex court, the trial court possessed the authority to hear the matter and acted within the law when it declined to dismiss the charges prematurely.

At one stage of the judgment, the court emphasized that appellate intervention was unjustified since sufficient issues remained for full trial examination.

Federal High Court Trial Restored

By setting aside the appellate court’s decision, the Supreme Court reinstated the earlier ruling of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court. That ruling had directed the accused persons to open their defence after prosecutors presented evidence supporting the allegations.

The implication of the judgment is clear: the criminal trial must resume from the point it was halted, allowing both prosecution and defence to fully present their cases.

Allegations Under Investigation

The EFCC’s case centers on accusations that public funds were unlawfully handled during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. Investigators allege that money linked to government contracts was diverted through financial transactions believed to involve kickbacks.

Those standing trial alongside the former governor include:

his sons Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido,
associate Aminu Wada Abubakar,
and two companies — Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited.

The charges cover multiple counts related to money laundering and financial misconduct.

Legal Journey Leading to the Decision

The case has experienced several judicial twists. Initially prosecuted at the Federal High Court, the defendants sought dismissal through a no-case submission, arguing insufficient evidence. Although the trial court rejected that argument, the Court of Appeal later ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction, effectively ending the prosecution.

The Federal Government, through the EFCC, appealed to the Supreme Court, which has now reversed that outcome and reinstated the trial.

What Happens Next

With the Supreme Court’s directive, proceedings will return to the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the defendants are expected to begin presenting their defence against the allegations.

The ruling does not determine guilt or innocence but ensures that the substantive issues are tested through full judicial examination.

Commentary & Analysis: Judicial Consistency and Anti-Corruption Enforcement

The decision reflects the Supreme Court’s willingness to intervene when lower appellate rulings prematurely terminate criminal proceedings. Legal analysts view the judgment as reinforcing the principle that complex corruption cases should be decided after complete trial processes rather than halted at preliminary stages.

For anti-corruption agencies, the ruling strengthens prosecutorial authority by affirming that courts must thoroughly evaluate evidence before dismissing charges. At the same time, it underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing due process with accountability.

Politically, the revival of the case places renewed public attention on high-profile corruption trials involving former officeholders, signaling that long legal battles can still return to active litigation despite earlier setbacks.

As the case resumes, the Federal High Court will now serve as the arena where evidence, defence arguments, and judicial scrutiny ultimately determine the outcome.