In a landmark ruling delivered on January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the appeal filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido’s sons and co-accused, paving the way for their trial to continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud case.
The apex court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier ruled that the trial court in Abuja has the jurisdiction to hear the matter. The appellants had argued that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State and that the case should therefore be tried in Kano or Dutse, not Abuja.
The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, rejected the jurisdictional challenge and affirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was right to file the charges in Abuja, given the nature of the alleged offences and the involvement of federal agencies.
The defendants in the long-running case include Mustapha Lamido, Aminu Lamido (sons of Sule Lamido), Wada Abubakar, and three companies: Speeds International Limited, Darlington Agoha, and Asam Investment Limited.
They are facing a 27-count amended charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to approximately N1.35 billion during Sule Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.
The prosecution alleges that the funds were fraudulently diverted through fictitious contracts and payments to companies linked to the defendants.
The case, which has dragged on for nearly a decade with multiple legal manoeuvres, adjournments, and jurisdictional battles, now returns to the Federal High Court in Abuja for accelerated hearing and trial on the merits.
Legal analysts view the Supreme Court’s final decision as a major boost for the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts, removing the last major procedural hurdle that had stalled progress in the high-profile matter.Sule Lamido himself is not a defendant in this particular charge sheet, though he has faced related corruption allegations in the past.
The ruling is expected to reignite public interest in the case, with many Nigerians closely watching whether the trial will now move swiftly toward a conclusion after years of delays.
As the matter heads back to the lower court, the focus shifts to the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, and the ultimate determination of guilt or innocence in one of Nigeria’s most prominent political fraud prosecutions. The coming months will be decisive.
The apex court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier ruled that the trial court in Abuja has the jurisdiction to hear the matter. The appellants had argued that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State and that the case should therefore be tried in Kano or Dutse, not Abuja.
The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, rejected the jurisdictional challenge and affirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was right to file the charges in Abuja, given the nature of the alleged offences and the involvement of federal agencies.
The defendants in the long-running case include Mustapha Lamido, Aminu Lamido (sons of Sule Lamido), Wada Abubakar, and three companies: Speeds International Limited, Darlington Agoha, and Asam Investment Limited.
They are facing a 27-count amended charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to approximately N1.35 billion during Sule Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.
The prosecution alleges that the funds were fraudulently diverted through fictitious contracts and payments to companies linked to the defendants.
The case, which has dragged on for nearly a decade with multiple legal manoeuvres, adjournments, and jurisdictional battles, now returns to the Federal High Court in Abuja for accelerated hearing and trial on the merits.
Legal analysts view the Supreme Court’s final decision as a major boost for the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts, removing the last major procedural hurdle that had stalled progress in the high-profile matter.Sule Lamido himself is not a defendant in this particular charge sheet, though he has faced related corruption allegations in the past.
The ruling is expected to reignite public interest in the case, with many Nigerians closely watching whether the trial will now move swiftly toward a conclusion after years of delays.
As the matter heads back to the lower court, the focus shifts to the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, and the ultimate determination of guilt or innocence in one of Nigeria’s most prominent political fraud prosecutions. The coming months will be decisive.