BREAKING: Court Issues Fresh Ruling In ₦1.5bn EFCC Case Against Ex-Governor Babangida Aliyu

Justice Yeliam Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, has fixed May 8, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the no-case submission filed by a former Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and his co-defendant, Umar Muhammed Nasko.

According to Ireporter Online, the matter came up on Thursday, February 26, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses by counsel to the parties. The prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdallah, as well as Y. Kalamu, representing the first defendant, and Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, counsel to the second defendant, adopted their respective processes before the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Aliyu alongside Nasko, a former Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and alleged conversion of ecological funds amounting to ₦1,509,791,200.00.

In his response to the no-case submissions, the prosecution counsel informed the court that a counter-address was filed on February 5, 2026. He recalled that the defendants were arraigned on April 28, 2017, on charges relating to conspiracy and money laundering. The prosecution further stated that it called 11 witnesses and tendered several exhibits in a bid to establish its case.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, both defendants opted to file separate no-case submissions. The first defendant filed his written submission on December 18, 2025, while the second defendant submitted his on November 23, 2025. The prosecution urged the court to dismiss the applications and compel the defendants to enter their defence.

After listening to the arguments, Justice Bogoro adjourned the case to May 8, 2026, for a ruling on the no-case submissions. Aliyu served as Governor of Niger State for two terms between 2007 and 2015.