For Sule Lamido, It’s Time to Breathe

Life is a moving train with chance encounters and moments. For Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State, the train has moved into a sunny valley. With recent developments spearheaded by the Court of Appeal, Lamido has many more reasons to smile than he did before.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dropped the gavel on the matter of Lamido and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Finally putting the issue to rest, the EFCC no longer has the right to point accusing fingers at the former governor.

The Court of Appeal finalised and announced its judgement on Tuesday, July 25. According to Justice Adamu Waziri, the court that initially covered the case did not have the needed jurisdiction to do so. Thus, the case is resolved, thrown out of the window with the expectations of those that wanted to see Lamido and his son, Mustapha Sule Lamido, rotting in prison.

Based on the reactions of Lamido to the judgement, it is clear that the case has been a thorn in his side all these eight years that it was in court. With Lamido free, one can expect him to lay low for the next few years, especially since it is not his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that is calling the shots in Jigawa or Nigeria.

In 2015, the EFCC sued Lamido, alleging that the former governor and his sons had laundered N712 million. After many ups and downs, Lamido and the others had a case opened before the court despite their efforts to get the case dismissed. So, they appealed the ruling of the Federal Higher Court, Maitama, Abuja.

So, it is a new day for Lamido and his sons. Although one does not know if the EFCC would give up, at least, Lamido can now prepare against such allegations that he embezzled state funds.