Alleged N1.35bn Fraud: You mean I’m now a prisoner? – Lamido

A Federal High Court, sitting in Kano, yesterday, ordered former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, accused of fraud, remanded in prison custody in Kano till September 28.

The former governor is facing a 28-count charge alongside his two sons, and one Wada Abubakar in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering that amounted to over N1.35 billion.

Lamido who was arraigned for receiving N1.35 billion kickback from a government contractor was shocked and could not believe his ears after the judge turned down his bail application and ordered him remanded.

Immediately the court rose and the Deputy Chief Registrar of Federal High Court, Mr Solomon Akpedah ushered the former governor and his two sons into a waiting van for a journey to Kano central prison, Lamido exclaimed saying: “You mean I am now a prisoner”? The Deputy Chief Registrar, however, tried to calm him down saying “No sir, you are not a prisoner”.

The alleged fraud money was allegedly paid into accounts controlled by the governor and his sons.

Former Governor Sule Lamido being led to prison yesterday in Kano.

The Economic & Financial Crimes Commission has accused the four suspects of money laundering, among other charges.

They were due for arraignment, Wednesday, but the court appearance was rescheduled to yesterday. Security was stepped up around the court vicinity in Kano ahead of the hearing.

The ruling

Delivering a ruling, Justice Evelyn Anyadike ordered that the four accused persons be remanded in a Kano Prison because the EFCC said they lacked enough facilities to accommodate them.