Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, his sons, and other defendants have been acquitted of the N1.35bn money laundering charges by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. The charges were struck out on the basis that the Federal High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to conduct the trial in Abuja. The appellate court upheld the no-case submission filed by the defendants, stating that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has delivered a landmark judgment, absolving former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, his sons, and other defendants of any wrongdoing in the alleged N1.35bn money laundering charges levelled against them by the Federal Government.
In a unanimous decision, a three-man panel of the appellate court struck out the charges on the basis that the Federal High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to conduct the trial in Abuja. By doing so, the Court of Appeal has effectively upheld the no-case submission filed by the defendants.
The money laundering charges were initially brought against Lamido, his two sons - Aminu and Mustapha, Aminu Wada Abubakar, and their companies - Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2015, accusing Lamido and his co-defendants of engaging in illicit financial activities while he served as Governor of Jigawa State.
The trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja, had dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendants to open their defence in November 2022.
Unsatisfied with the verdict of the trial court, Lamido and other accused individuals decided to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In delivering the lead judgment, Justice Adamu Waziri held that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State, and therefore, the charges should have been filed in Jigawa State and not in Abuja. The panel concurred, stating that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case in the nation's capital.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal struck out the charges and discharged the defendants, bringing an end to the legal battle that has spanned several years.
This judgment has significant implications for the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria's legal system. It highlights the importance of adhering to legal procedures and ensuring that cases are tried in the appropriate jurisdiction.
While critics of the judgment argue that it sets a precedent that could potentially hinder effective prosecution of corruption cases, others believe that it is a victory for the rule of law and the principle of fair trial.
This outcome does not absolve former Governor Sule Lamido and the other defendants of any moral or ethical responsibility. It merely focuses on the procedural aspect of the case and emphasizes the need for due process.
As the defendants celebrate their acquittal, it is now imperative for relevant authorities to conduct a thorough review of their investigation and prosecution processes to prevent similar jurisdictional issues from arising in future corruption trials.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-07-25 News
More detailed, more comprehensive, fresher news, please visit OOO NEWS.
