Lamido’s son convicted over $50,000
A Federal High Court in Kano on Friday convicted the son of Governor
Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Aminu, for false declaration of foreign
currency on him while traveling abroad.
The judge, Fatu Riman, said Aminu was guilty by declaring $10,000 instead of $50,000 during a trip abroad.
He was, therefore, ordered to forfeit 25 per cent of the $40,000 he did not declare.
According to him, Aminu is guilty of false declaration of the total amount of money he was carrying.
Justice
Riman rejected the claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) that the money was meant to be laundered.
The
judge said the evidence before the court clearly showed that the money
was not taken with criminal intent but for medical treatment of his
daughter.
The judge also rejected the submission of Aminu’s
counsel, Mr Offiong Offiong (SAN), that the case was meant to tarnish
the name of Aminu’s father, the governor, who has a presidential
ambition.
According to Riman, the court is a reputable one which cannot allow itself to be dragged into unnecessary politicking.
Speaking
with pressmen after the judgment, Barrister Sa’id Ahmed Sa’id , said
they were happy with the judgment, noting that the judgment would serve
as a reference point for any further judgment on false declaration of
currency.
Sa’id also commended the judge for his speedy trial of
the case, saying that within just five months when the trial commenced,
judgment was passed
Aminu was arrested at the Malam Aminu Kano
International Airport on December 11, 2012 while on a medical trip to
Cairo, Egypt with his ailing daughter.
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