Court Sets May 8, 2026, for Ruling in Ex-Niger Gov Babangida Aliyu’s ₦1.5bn Ecological Fund Fraud Case

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed May 8, 2026, as the date to deliver its ruling on no-case submissions filed by former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his co-defendant Umar Muhammed Nasko in the long-running ₦1.5 billion ecological fund fraud trial.

Justice Yeliam Bogoro adjourned the matter to the specified date following Thursday’s session, where final written addresses from the prosecution and defense teams were presented and adopted.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering, and conversion of ecological funds totaling ₦1,509,791,200 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Two Hundred Naira).

The case dates back to the defendants’ initial arraignment on April 28, 2017. The prosecution closed its case after calling 11 witnesses and tendering various exhibits.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s evidence, both defendants elected to file no-case submissions, arguing that the evidence presented does not establish a prima facie case requiring them to enter a defense.

Faruk Abdallah, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court of the filings and confirmed the adoption of addresses. Defense counsel included Y. Kalamu (representing Aliyu) and Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN (for Nasko).

Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, confirmed the adjournment in a statement.

Aliyu, who governed Niger State from 2007 to 2015, and Nasko, his former Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens, and Forest Resources, face allegations that they misappropriated federal ecological funds meant for environmental projects and disaster management in the state.

The upcoming ruling on May 8, 2026, will decide whether the court finds sufficient evidence to require the defendants to open their defense or if the charges should be dismissed outright.