Supreme court dismisses appeal by aminu sule lamido in undeclared foreign cash case || www.wapcodehub9ja.com.ng

apex court upholds conviction over failure to declare forty thousand dollars at point of departure

by wapcodehub9ja live news correspondent

reporting live from abuja, federal capital territory, nigeria

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the appeal filed by Aminu Sule Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, challenging his conviction over the non-declaration of foreign currency while attempting to leave the country.

The apex court upheld the decisions of the lower courts, affirming that the conviction was properly reached based on the evidence presented during trial. Aminu Sule Lamido had been found guilty of failing to declare the sum of forty thousand dollars in cash and making a false declaration to authorities at the point of departure.

Court records show that the case originated from an incident involving foreign currency declaration requirements under Nigerian law. The prosecution established that the defendant was in possession of the cash sum without complying with mandatory disclosure regulations enforced by relevant agencies.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court held that the appeal lacked merit and failed to raise any substantial legal issue capable of overturning the earlier judgments. The justices agreed that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that due process was followed throughout the trial.

The court noted that foreign currency declaration laws are designed to regulate cross-border cash movement and ensure transparency within the financial system. It emphasized that compliance with such regulations applies to all citizens, regardless of status or background.

Legal analysts present at the court described the judgment as a reaffirmation of existing financial compliance laws. They stated that the ruling reinforces the responsibility placed on travelers to accurately declare foreign currency in their possession when entering or leaving the country.

Aminu Sule Lamido was initially convicted by a trial court, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal before the matter reached the Supreme Court. Each court found that the evidence presented, including documentary records and witness testimony, supported the charges.

Officials familiar with the case explained that the false declaration charge stemmed from discrepancies between the amount declared and the actual cash found during inspection. The courts ruled that the explanation offered by the defense did not displace the prosecution’s case.

The Supreme Court’s decision effectively brings the legal process to an end, leaving the conviction standing as delivered by the lower courts. The ruling is expected to serve as a reference point in future cases involving undeclared foreign currency and false financial declarations.