Supreme Court Revives N1.3 Billion Corruption Case Against Former Governor and Sons
Nigeria's Supreme Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resume prosecution of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons in a long-running corruption case involving alleged misappropriation of 1.35 billion naira (approximately $3 million) in public funds. The decision overturns a 2023 Court of Appeal ruling that had dismissed the charges against the powerful political family.
The landmark judgment, delivered on Friday by a five-member panel of justices, requires Lamido—who governed Jigawa from 2007 to 2015—to return to the Federal High Court to face defense proceedings on 37 counts of money laundering and abuse of office. The case represents a significant test of Nigeria's anti-corruption framework and its ability to hold high-ranking officials accountable.
Background and Context
The allegations against Lamido and his sons stem from his eight-year tenure as governor of Jigawa State, one of Nigeria's northern states. According to EFCC investigators, the former governor systematically diverted state funds through a sophisticated money laundering scheme involving kickbacks from contractors awarded government projects. The prosecution alleges that these funds were laundered through family-controlled companies, including Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited.
The case was initially filed in 2015, shortly after Lamido left office, reflecting a pattern in Nigerian governance where corruption investigations often target former officials rather than incumbents. The timing raises questions about the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms during an official's term in office.
Key Figures and Entities
Sule Lamido, a veteran politician who previously served as Foreign Minister, faces charges alongside his sons Mustapha and Aminu Lamido, as well as associate Aminu Wada Abubakar. The involvement of family members in the alleged scheme highlights concerns about nepotism and the intergenerational transfer of corrupt practices in Nigerian politics.
The prosecution involves two primary corporate entities: Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited, both allegedly used to receive and launder illicit funds. Corporate records suggest these companies were controlled by the Lamido family, though full ownership structures remain obscured despite Nigeria's Companies and Allied Matters Act requiring disclosure of beneficial ownership.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
The case has navigated Nigeria's multi-tiered judicial system over nearly a decade. After the Federal High Court refused to dismiss the charges in 2018, finding sufficient evidence for prosecution, the defense successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, which in July 2023 determined that the EFCC had not established a prima facie case. The Supreme Court's reversal underscores ongoing tensions in Nigeria's judicial approach to high-profile corruption cases.
The alleged financial scheme involved the systematic collection of kickbacks from state contractors, with funds flowing through the companies before being distributed among family members. Prosecutors argue this violated several provisions of Nigeria's Money Laundering Prohibition Act and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act.
International Implications and Policy Response
The Lamido case occurs against the backdrop of international concerns about Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts. Despite receiving billions in technical assistance from international partners for governance reforms, Nigeria continues to rank poorly on global corruption perception indices. The protracted nature of this particular case—with multiple appeals spanning years—illustrates the challenges in successfully prosecuting financial crimes involving powerful political figures.
The Supreme Court's decision may signal renewed judicial resolve to combat impunity, though implementation remains uncertain. International observers have noted that while Nigeria has strong anti-corruption legislation on paper, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly for political elites. The case's progression will likely serve as a barometer for the effectiveness of recent judicial reforms aimed at expediting corruption trials.
Sources
This report draws on court documents from Nigeria's Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court proceedings, as well as EFCC case filings and public statements. The investigation also incorporates background from Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission establishment documents and relevant provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.
