FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V. ALHAJI SULE LAMIDO

ABUBAKAR SADIQ UMAR, J.S.C. (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division (lower Court) in an interlocutory Appeal No. CA/A/CR/1096/2022, delivered on 25th July, 2023, wherein the lower Court allowed the appeal of the Respondent and held that the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division (trial Court) lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case. The lower Court consequently struck out the charge preferred against the Respondent and discharged him.

BRIEF FACTS

The Respondent, as the 3rd Defendant, together with seven (7) other Defendants were initially charged and arraigned before the Federal High Court, Kano Judicial Division, on a 28-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy, contrary to Sections 15(3), 14(1)(a), 15(1) and 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

Upon an application by the prosecuting agency - the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the case was subsequently transferred to the …