Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Governor Lamido’s Son Over Undeclared $40,000

Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-Governor Lamido’s Son Over Undeclared $40,000

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Aminu Sule Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, over the failure to declare $40,000 at an international airport.

The ruling brings a final end to a legal battle that began several years ago, reinforcing Nigeria’s strict laws on currency declaration and financial transparency.

Aminu Lamido was intercepted by authorities at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while attempting to travel abroad. During routine checks, officials discovered that he had failed to fully declare the foreign currency in his possession, as required by law.

While he reportedly declared the allowable amount, further inspection revealed an additional $40,000 that was not declared to customs officials. This led to his arrest and subsequent prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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The Federal High Court initially found Aminu Lamido guilty of currency non-declaration and ordered forfeiture of part of the funds. He challenged the judgment, but the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction.

Unwilling to accept the ruling, Lamido approached the Supreme Court, asking the apex court to overturn the decisions of the lower courts.

However, in its final judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, affirming that the conviction was lawful and that the offence had been properly established by the prosecution.

The ruling sends a strong message that no individual is above the law, regardless of political background or family influence. It also highlights the importance of complying with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly concerning the movement of foreign currency across borders.

Under Nigerian law, travelers are required to declare foreign currency above the approved threshold. Failure to do so constitutes a financial offense and attracts penalties, including forfeiture and possible imprisonment.

With the Supreme Court’s decision, the conviction now stands as final. The case serves as a reminder to travelers and public figures alike that financial transparency is not optional.